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

Clean Slate Black

Kachamukku Red/Green

Coucher de soleil... (Origami 2024)

Coffee Blues Black

Festival Flower Decoration

Friendship Forever

Marilyn, i Volti (L)

Marilyn, i Volti (I)

Marilyn, i Volti (G)

Marilyn, i Volti (G)

Marilyn, i Volti (F)

Marilyn, i Volti (A)

Medcom

A Panda Cub Hugging a Ball of Flowers

La pièce manquante

La pièce manquante

Snoopy X Kaws

Ronron et chat ailé

Obey n°68

Figurine Cereal Monsters Boo Berry

Time off Black

Assiette

Vegas pop art Dior

!N-CHA!

Store House purple

Store House orange

Store House

Raw Green

Vador 01.01.25

Reine de cœur

Jouet Car Porsche

Apple dream F1

Donald's adventures

40cm CH Tribute, Teddy Bear

Star Wars Ewok Paploo 400%

Snoopy pensif

The Story of the Balloon 2

Triptyque

Mondrian 3D K 25 Nr1

Jouet Car Hermès

40cm Ferrari Tribute, Teddy Bear

50cm H Tribute Teddy

Pop Up Flower

Urban Pop H Tweety Bird

En attente d’expirer, cigares

Capsule Hermès Paris

Kong Origine / Origin Kong

Cheval / Horse, Blue gradient

Wild Kong Love

Wild Kong Oil

Wild Kong

Wild Kong

Mickey Love Chanel Black Ed

We Are The Jocular Clan (4)

Time Bokan - black + moss green

One dollar Lagoon

One dollar Candy Pink

One dollar America

Family Grey

One dollar rosso bianco one

One dollar rosso one

Racing Steve

Sparkling Steve

I love my style in Louis Vuitton

Racing Steve

We Are The Jocular Clan (8)