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

Un P'tit coup de Sourire

Sourire d'Enfant

Pin-up au serpent

Di Rosa Magazine

L’étrange Noël de Monsieur Jack, Jack et Sally

Edward aux mains d’argent

Molotov Mouse

Chevaliers du Zodiaque

Chien tagué noir et blanc

Chien tagué

"Olive et Tom" Danny Melow

Goddess Bast

C16

Silver Surfer and Shalla Bal

Elvis Presley

John Lee Hooker

Jimi Hendrix

Turn off the dark

Pin-up Pacific

Pin-up Robe Noir

Pin-up à la Corvette

Pin-up à la Porsche

Pin-up en déshabillé

Daisy Town

Dalton City

Krilin

Piccolo

Vegeta

Tortue Géniale

Mr. Candy Mickey Mouse

Pin-up au fauteuil

Pin-up aux bas

Bonjour Paris

A la clef

À Joshua Tree

Capsule Louis Vuitton

30cm New Teddy LV Tribute Black

Indonesia Black

Holiday space Black

We Are The Jocular Clan (9)

We Are The Jocular Clan (3)

WE ARE THE JOCULAR CLAN (1)

We Are The Square Jocular Clan (10)

We Are The Square Jocular Clan (9)

We Are The Square Jocular Clan (5)

We Are The Square Jocular Clan (2)

Cérémonie d'ouverture des Jeux Olympiques de Paris

One Dollar In God

Urban Pop Bugs Bunny Soup

Capsule Chanel Pop

New One Dollar Pinkch

Capsule Yves Saint Laurent YSL

Capsule Patek Philippe Genève Black

Wild Kong Yellow

Wild Kong Mauritanius

Heart

Piaf Révolution L

Cosmic Veil

He is Not from Here

The Layers Between

Super Mario

L'univers de Donald

Sunny Day II

Le mot le plus long

40cm Teddy LV Tribute

Plan de métro Marsupilami