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

Via Veneto #6

Aphorisme

Obelisk, Villa Medici

Pause Cigarette #3

Pause Cigarette #2 B.B.

Le Penseur

Tempête dans la Campagne

Portrait Interdit

Jeune Macaque

Paris 2

A Way of Life

Burger queen

Au mur

Bird in the Wind

Troubler Makers

Sans titre

Chapeau rouge

Marquise de l'Os

Terms of Engagement

Conviction

Harpies

Hug me

Christian Marclay

Infini

Vendée Globe 3

Cancale

Quai des barges

Chapelle de St Philibert

Morgan

Tick Tock

Terrace, Villa Medici II

To Van Gogh 2

Femlin with golf ball for playboy

L'Alleluiah - petit nu J

Sans titre - 06

La quête

Complice

La sphère

La jeune Fille au voile / The Girl with a Veil

Mon corps se souvient que fais-tu?

Mouvement de danse 2

Pause Cigarette #2 Red Roses

Pause Cigarette #7 motifs chinois

Peinture Fraiche - Street Tease

Venus

Rat 4

Délia Fille de la Mer

Nude #2, With My Eyes Closed

Indras Net

Rosetta

WIld panther

My Garden

Sans titre

Who Are These Angels CXLIII

Atmósfera

Liquid Love

Colors Of Africa: Kyalami 1979

Vertiges

Binti mrembo (beautiful girl)

Sans titre

Paysage village 1

Male Nr. 121701

Marbles

Sand castles

Jardins villa Barbarigo (Série reflets)