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

Sunset No. 12

Sunset No. 15

Sunset No. 17

Sunset No. 21

Sunset No. 24

Sunset No. 28

Mademoiselle 49

Mademoiselle 48

Mademoiselle 42

Medusa 2

Mademoiselle 55

Mademoiselle 29

Enso No. 1

Regret

La Confession

Les Petites Femmes de Pigalle

La Natue de Mars

Icone

La Passe

L'Amérique

Les Orphelins

Philosophe

Romance de la Nature

Livre

Colorado No. 33

Iris No. 171

Appalachians No. 14

Appalachians No. 2

Hellebore No. 1

Virginia Woods No. 2

Délicatesse

Andres Alsina in Paris

Consultation

Anonymous No. 2

Anonymous

Camelia

Love

A blue eclipse watercolor

The valley of mists

Listening to silence

Tender Hug Sitting - Aquarelles-Composition-24fevrier 2024

Soleil Rouge

Song of Two

Libellule Dance

Two Cosmic Dancers

Twirling in Violet

Des Ballerines

We Lost the Rhythm

Too Much Dancers

Nothing but Dance

Sans titre21

Sans titre20

Sans titre 19

Alila

Deux Spans

SomaSoma

Im

Douze Barbes

Serre Orange

Racine

Prickly Blooms

Mon illusion

Mon dos

Miroir de Loire

Bojagi

Mon sang