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

Gandhi

Charlot au violon III

The red flower

Brigitte Bardot, vogue, purple and gold version

Sensation

Abadie

Luffy au chapeau de paille

Charles De Gaulle

Flacon Chanel n°5, Marilyn Monroe, blue

Flacon Chanel n°5, Marilyn Monroe, orange

Flacon Chanel n°5, Marilyn Monroe, rose

Flacon Chanel n°5, Marilyn Monroe, green

Snoopy - Basquiat Style - serie 2

Frida Kahlo Portrait

Nike China - Vague

Rimbaud

L’Apéro

Sea Views 1

Marilyn Monroe, ca

Marilyn Monroe 15

Untitled - Felix the Cat Charity Print - Brooklyn Museum Variant

Urge

Sensation

Red mustang Steve

Basquiat Warhol Everlast

Audrey in Summer, Pink

Présidents

Johnny

Right Track

Hollywood icons triptych 3

Hollywood icons triptych 1

Hollywood icons triptych 5

Hollywood icons triptych 2

The Woman Who Defeated Pain (Frida Kahlo)

Marilyn in Vogue (1962)

Steve

Dali

Marylin

Urban Merci Simone

Monroe Long Yellow

Andy Mask

Les Rolling Stones (4) (1)

Belmondo Bebel (4)

Basquiat

Basquiat

Twiggy

For Your Eyes Only, Sophia Loren

People and brand Lennon

Grace turquoise et parme

For Your Eyes Only, Jean Gabin

Un petit coin de ciel bleu

Vincent Van Gogh

Car box

Hand Stitched Monroe through the key hole - Warhol

The last sitting - Marilyn in black dior dress, 1962

Toy!

Audrey Hepburn

Deeda Blair at home

Suzy Solidor & Tamara de Lempicka

Charlie II

Leslie Caron (actrice) et Mary Quant (couturière), aparté entre femmes dans la chambre de la femme de Stanley Donen

Marilyn in Vogue

Photographie de Marilyn Monroe

Serge Gainsbourg 7

Picasso a la Feria, revetu des habits de la Pena de Logrono - Nimes, 1959

Stamp Einstein