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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Subcategories

Small

Environs de Grasse

Japon tropical n° 22

Saison II

Sunny road in a birch forest

Sans titre

A forest seed

Paysage de bord de mer

Les hauteurs de Cologny, Genève

Promenade sur un sentier de campagne au crépuscule

Paysage animé

Vue sur la mer, Italie

Head in the Clouds

Huts

Brosh

Quai de Rouen, grand pont

Enchanted forest

Instrument

Montagnes dans les nuages

Red passion in the countryside - Tuscany landscape

A l'orée du village

Paysage lacustre

La plume, le pinceau, l'aiguille

Chemin au bord de l'eau

Birch Forest IV small

Colored Fields

Les blés de Puplinge, Genève

Au bord de l'eau

Arbre en automne avec vue sur le lac

Vegetation

Village de pêcheurs et réparation des bateaux - côte amalfitaine

Le Mont-Blanc depuis Sallanches

Portail à la campagne

Vue d'ensemble sur Commugny, Suisse

Vue du port

Landscape

Paysage de printemps campagne et Jura

Hameau, Vallée de Merlan

Mazots à Zermatt

Baie de Naples et pêcheurs

Chalets et patûrage

Lungo il Ticino

Village de montagne

Femme au champ préparant un cheval de trait

Promenade en bord du lac

Paysage fleuri

Bout du lac

Paysage de lac et montagnes

Oliviers et bord de mer

Retour du marché en bord de mer et bateaux de pêche

Souvenirs affectueux

Voiliers au bord d'une île des cyclades dans la mer d'Égée

L'étang

The Farmhouse

L'Arbre Blessé

Landscape

Swarighat 02

Rose

Paesaggio campestre

Little Blanche

Imagined destinations, Spring ( Le printemps )

Apocalypse - Série visuels décalés

In the time of dreaming

Mountain landscape

Fisherman

Farmhouse

The Tree