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

Arbre caillou fleurs

Sunny Moment

Arbre caillou ville

Composition florale 2

Forêt lumineuse verte

Super Cheesy drawing 1

Sans Titre

Routemaster

Mr. Shasta South View

Casino View Avalon

Diaquaorwochrome n°5

Les Étourneaux

Composition I

Urbain

Sur la lande

Toronto

Still Life no. 23

Pays d'Ossau - Paysage stylisé

Sous les pins - Paysage forêt stylisée

Lake

Still Life With Plant

Composition of Flowers

Still Life With Lemon

Still Life With Bottles

Still life

Noble Woman

Psychic Time 2

Battle of Kearsarge and Alabama

Lucky me

Dull shout

Smoking Man

King of the North

Letter from Louis Marcoussis to Countess Pecci Blunt

Arbres

Apprendre à être seul - Paysage de rochers

Sous l'arche - Maison isolée - série Paysage imaginaire figuratif

Bout de caillou - Maison perchée - série Paysage imaginaire figuratif

Fallen nurse

Montre molle

Asagaz - Composition abstraite

Asgan - Composition abstraite

Summer Sea I

Meet me in the land of faded dreams

Whiskey in the Jaro

Appian Way Late Afternoon

Santa Paula Bougainvillea

Coastal Fog California

Napa Vista No. 30

Gondola Shadows

Water Lilies Koi

Serengeti Surprise

Near Mt. Shuksan Washington

The Magic Macaw

Redwoods, Humboldt County

The Blue Vase

Philippines Environs

Ionic Vista

Hyacinths

Hidden Quarter

110 Northbound!

Chez SoCal

Venice CA

California After the Rains

Demi lune

The woman with flowers

Colin Kaepernick