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

J'accuse

Femme nue Nude Lady 1910

Portrait of a girl with yellow patches

Love is the key

Floral Emotions

Shining water- Sunset Over Mountain River Captivating Oil Painting with Warm Evening Hues

Mystical

Douceur des neiges

Venice coast

Landscape du pays nord west de la Chine 9

Landscape du pays nord west de la Chine 8

Premiers jours du printemps

Pestacle

A l'infinie

Avenir

Deep Blue Green Flowers

Heavenly Guardian, no 8/8

Blue Nature #1

Pomegranate delight-texture fruit painting, red and green colors

Efflorescence #2

Eat The Rich

The Day We Met

Binary Nature

Nature Torride

Colored Nature #2

Pop Flower Galactic 2

Hi Fidelity (Party At The Moontower)

Câlins

L'éventail

Two

Harmonie

Untitled. 7,22

Colored Nature 2

Colorful wink

Fish

Garden

Evening river-small sunset landscape

Evening glow-small sunset river landscape

Magik love

Plaque métro Simpson

Vue sur Genève, le Jura et le lac Léman

Abstract No. 72

Le Petit Prince

Tender Hug Sitting - Aquarelles-Composition-24fevrier 2024

Feline Spatial Concept: A Tribute to Fontana

Throw Caution to the Wind

Summer jazz-V

Broken Bird (The Relics Series)

1964 Ocher LETTRISME Ocre

1977 Green Abstraction verte

At The Edge Of Nature

Bronze Mask

Cat

Bronze Mask

Rhythm

Family Time

Vivid

1958 Poissons Fish

Orange Violin 1990 Violon orange

Summer

Some 'Fish Can' & some 'Fish Can't'

1964 Rouge gris LETTRISME Red Grey

1979 Red Abstraction Rouge

Dans les Champs 1978 in the Fields

Planète 1971 Planet

Félix VALLOTTON Paysage Les Champs