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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Obscur

San Gohan

Andy Warhol and Keith Haring

Arlequin bleu

Harmony in Color

Fleurs

House & gate

L'Oasis Algérien

Playfulness

Femme se deshabillant

Nouveau Soleil 24.06

Ritratto

Ultra Lumen Lamp Sculpture

Il Cancro (The Cancer)

Pas de titre

Small Puffy Candy

Black & white soul II

Sans titre

Travels in Nihila

Sans titre

Tranquility

Untitled #10

Skater Later Teddy

Winter

Chivas Regal

Paysage Près d'Aesch à Bâle-Campagne

Bolchoi XV

Untitled

To meet the nightflower

No one is illegal

L'Espace

Polychrome #3

Somptueuse

Haring and BanksySkull

Woman's Right

Manufactura 3

Luke McAlister

Secret Invasion

Twickenham Streaker

Cocci-révolution bleue

Amazing Spiderman

Roitelet couronné

Chartres dans les colzas

Little Gulliver

Sirène

Le babouin sacré

Ravello sea pointview - Amalfitan Coast painting (Italy) + frame

La grotte aux ours

Nature

Uncanny X-Force

Tin Can

L'Abeille - The Bee

Numéro 1

Primorsko

Le musée amusant

Don't Get It Twisted

Pin-up à la cigarette

Legende de la mer

Horseracing Steplee Auteuil Pilarski colors

Wolverine

Eléphantasme organique

Mini Chorus 1

Smiley

Jimi Hendrix (Dedicated)

Les Chevaliers du Ciel. Hélicoptères

Study 6