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

Flower Totoro III

Kebichu - Kebichu

Gacko Bear Love pop art Lv Color

Trinité blue bubbles - Série Trinité - Portrait Pop art cubisme

Riskoleum

Mémoire - Série Pop colorée

A Courtesan in the Field of Silver Grass

The Price of War

Iconic Gameboy Nike - Blanc et rouge - Nintendo

Boxing Kangoo

Death And Disaster (Pink)

Retro ballet

Joseph Two Bulls

Un tableau ne vit que ...

Heinz Tomato Ketchup Box II

Droopy Dog Abstraction

Small Puffy Candy

Doll Motanka

Playboy

Peek-A-Boo - 1

Littel Girn with QR code

Tower Brick Bridge

Eagle

Visca Barca

Link

N°69 - 911 Almeras

Music

Circus

Dessine moi un serpent

Pop Art Box

Sun and water

Mario Wonderland

René

Do for love

Ralph Building

Thor The Mighty Avenger

Untitled

The history of Art : Marcel Duchamp

FUCHsy Red

Maneki neko on the wall 1

Bearbrick Orange Gold

Hommage à Keith Haring 2

ABC… Gripe ! (jaune)

I Can't Recall It Lightly At All (Copper)

Kiss N° 5

What's up doc

Crazy Yellow Monkey

Bahamas Stamp

Submission

Motion Alone

Testicles

Les Belles Canapéennes 9

Too Much Stupid Talk, Not Enough Good Music

Train

Kurt Cobain

See my potato sack (Marilyn)

Ruperd

Pop Singer

Trio de boys Haring

ST-II

Campari Abstract

Skater Later Teddy

Broken Button

Keep Moving

Winter

Natural Woman