Small

Recent trends in contemporary art have meant that we've grown accustomed to large scale pieces, be that huge canvases, enormous sculptures, or giant installations.

However, the miniature has always been an important part of contemporary art. Be it paintings, sculpture, or photography as well as small format drawings, the reduced dimensions of the artwork puts new constraints on the artist, forcing them to develop their techniques and artistic finesse.

Jeff Wall, an American photographer known for his large scale photographic prints on huge illuminated boxes, has said that “the scale of a piece is not about the dimensions of it, but about the internal tensions within the composition".

Believe it or not, miniature pieces have many advantages. Smaller formats allow the artists to show off a different range of talents and techniques, and sometimes even create the impression of a much higher quality piece – such as engravings or prints. Creating a miniature is a sure sign of precision and skill.

They are also more practical to exhibit than the enormous artworks: we've all got a little space on a shelf ready to welcome a miniature sculpture, photo or drawing.

Another very practical aspect of miniatures is the myriad possibilities for display: you could put together a full shelf of statuettes, or even a dedicated framing wall – which is an increasingly popular method for display, and makes for the perfect decorative addition to a living room or bedroom. It's a mixed composition made up of an array of pieces – you guessed it – all on the same wall. The diminutive size of the miniatures also makes it easier to make sure your favourite pieces are displayed in pride of place.

Even artists who are known for their monumental works are slowly getting into miniatures, like Jeff Wall in his exhibition at the Cartier Foundation.

The miniature is making a big name for itself as a growing trend across the contemporary art world; from Gaspard Mitz, who creates tiny versions of the interiors of famous art galleries in his 'Box Stories', to the photography of Samsofy, who recreates scenes from daily life with miniscule Lego 'actors'.

Last but not least, the small scale of the pieces means that even big names come with small price tags, meaning that miniatures make excellent presents. So, go on, what are you waiting for? Browse our selection of miniature works now…

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Small

Steve Mc Queen

Warhol

Marilyn Getting Ready To Go Out

Dua Lipa Portrait

Ambiguité graphique - série Portraits hybrides - Salvador Dali

Equivoque graphique - série portraits hybrides - Picasso

Kate Front Cover

Audrey Hepburn

Eddy Mitchell

Eddy Mitchell "Vieille canaille"

Ombre et lumière Johnny Hallyday

Stalingrad c'était mieux avant!

Nuage

Marilyn

Marilyn Getting Ready To Go Out in New York (1955)

Marilyn Getting Ready To Go Out (1955)

Uschi Obermaier

Blixa Bargeld

Lou Reed

Isabella Rossellini

Shakira’s portrait

Marilyn Monroe

Basquiat

Charles Bradley

Lauren Bacall

Batman city

Freddie

Famous30#2

Famous30#1

Jim Morrison

Blondie

Gigi Hadid - Rebel

Marilyn Monroe

Prince x Vogue

Audrey Hepburn

Mick Jagger

Madonna - Life

YSL

Snoop dog

Jay Z

Serge Gainsbourg

Picasso (1)

Picasso

Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Madonna

Pop and street BB

Famous30#13

Famous30#10

Famous30#8

Famous30#7

Famous30#5

Karl

Ray Charles

John Lennon

Brexit new

Stormtrooper (Iron)

Lillian Gish Green

Money Splash

Dali

Fred Astaire Lee

Elvis Let's Rock

Queen UK Elisabeth

Sneakers Addict Conference

Pola Negri III. From The Dis-enchanted series

Pola Negri. From The Dis-enchanted series

Louise Brooks