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

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Untitled

Intitled

Landscape

Sans titre 19

La Sainte-Victoire

La salamandre

Le Meneur d'ombres

The Harbor

Arbre 1956 Tree

Promenade Matinale

La Ruffe

Snoopy, Nuit paisible

Chevaux rouge et blanc

Primorsko

Expanse of red poppies . Tuscany painting & handmade frame

-You silly, who are you? Why did you come here? -my name is a Sea!

Guerriere

In the evening- Venice painting

6 Fine Art Prints Limited Collector's Portfolio Edition - Vador The Space Show

Chasm Lake

VI 04-22

Les flamants roses

Il libro delle mie favole preferite

Boat

The rural life in Haiti

Dark

Un bout de mer

Espace Chimérique

Ox-Bow wood's number 2

Landscape

Luna Bella

Noir 01 “Black River”

Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water dreaming) - Puyurru

Courant I

Mar de nuestros Ancestros

Seascape

Winter

Homeland

L'étranger

Nout’ vié l’église Champ borne ek son band’ vacoas

Desolate Civilization

Petit rayé

Stromboli

Trout Lake

Champ de meules de paille 03

Life Buoy

Lukarrara Jukurrpa (Desert Fringe-rush Seed Dreaming)

Bushfire

Sunset After Rain

Where The Wild Things Are

Créature III

India

La forêt du lac

Mouvement pétrifié

Body in the Field #8

Ngurlu Jukurrpa (Native Seed Dreaming)

La ciotat #2

Comme Dans Un Boudoir #04

Quiet country farmhouse - Tuscany landscape painting

Michael Kenna, Des oiseaux - Édition limitée

Paysages - 0707

Les Gardiens du son

Sous-bois (4)

Landschaft

Le Phare