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

Untitled 132

Untitled #1

Bird chante

Landscape sketch 20

Landscape sketch 19

Landscape sketch 7

Landscape sketch 6

Bird 13

Bird 12

Bird 11

Bird 9

Bird 8

Bird 7

Bird qui fait la sièste

Bird qui regarde

Bird qui sourit II

Bird sourit

Landscape sketch 29

Orange Juice

Untitled 129

Untitled

Fournalux

Café de Flore

Whale Songs 3

In Neptune’s Garden 2

In Neptune’s Garden 1

Femme au chapeau

Maillot de bain

Untitled 131

Untitled 130

Untitled 137

Shoot the bank Original art on paper

Senza titolo collezione New York

Venetian impressions 1

On Bricks

Chromatic dialog #78

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre

Omphale

Mother Sea

Venus

Abstract Floral No. 17

Sunflower No. 3

Sunflower No. 4

Abstract Floral No. 15

Abstract Floral No. 16

Abstract Floral No. 10

Abstract Floral No. 9

Abstract Floral No. 8

Abstract Floral No. 7

Abstract Floral No. 6

Abstract Floral No. 5

Iris No. 207

Floral No. 53

Floral No. 52

Floral No. 51

Floral No. 50

Floral No. 41

Floral No. 47

By Alessandro Michele for Valentino. From the Fashion series

The Woods No. 144

Hellebore No. 18