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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Categories

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Small

Winter’s Edge

At dawn - abstract marine landscape

With Nature

Nature

Roun Ocean #87

Campagne

Boats at the pier

Autumnal no. 23

Waterfall 1

Rendez-vous avec Ryugu

Lake Annecy

American Farmland

Thoughts of Monet

Landscaping-CXXXVII

Autumn

The Horse Fair

The Races

Evening

Morning

Deer

Field of color

Sant Just. Masias

Landscape with trees

La rosée de printemps

Porthcurno Beach

Village d'enfance

Endless Summer

Capella Toscana

Giulio PAOLINI: Les aventures de la dialectique (II)

Landscaping on Jazz=XXVI

Nocturne CXCXXIV

The Woods No. 143

White Monument

Plant Study No. 25

Hanging Leaves No. 7

Hanging Leaves No. 6

Hanging Leaves No. 5

Branch Study No. 13

Rose Study No. 4

Queen Anne's Lace No. 1

Virginia Woods No. 5

Transient

Espagne, étude du soir, pêcheurs

Bateaux de pêcheurs à Positano II

Paysage breton

Freedom

C & O Canal

Spring colors

La ville - Vue sur Genève

Trees

Majorca

Sky Mirror

Jura reloaded.1

Village 01

On a l'impression de voler

Collines dorées

Merveilleux voyage

Joyeux

Juste avant de partir

Water's watchman

Le vent emporte le printemps

Esprit brillant

La neige s'arrête pendant un moment

Turquoise et or

Mieux vaut marcher dans cette voie

Sois à la maison pour le dîner

Verdure de la patrie

Veux-tu t'asseoir avec moi un moment ?