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

La java bleue

Retour du bois d'amour

Le tango de Barcelone

Soriso

Abandon

Venetian impressions 1

Krilin

Piccolo

Vegeta

Untitled

Via Veneto #6

Aphorisme

Obelisk, Villa Medici

Le Penseur

Portrait Interdit

Paris 2

Burger queen

Vintage suitcases and a kitten

Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, Venere (of the type Venus de’ Medici), marble

Le souvenir d'une photo

Transfer 10 (Sommacco)

Lost in the Morning Meadow

Grace of Peonies

La fille 1975

La fille orange

La femme colorée

Piscine 1975

Dreams in the shade

Planar Integrations No.1 - Abstract Wood Sculpture

Blue house

The journey matters more than the destination.

When change has become familiar

I really love shrimp.

BLUE#2 N°8/23

2cv pop

Diaquarelle n°124

Astarté

La Vouivre

Ilmatar

Le chariot

Walkyrie

Mr.Hope King

La route blanche

Untitled 34

Protezione / Protection

The Golden Pont

Golden Water Lilies

Sans Titre

Polyptych of Masks (white)

Focus

Halo Blue

Shady Acacia

Hot Horizon

Amos

Banquise

Danse dans les bras du vent

Abandonnée

Arc-en-ciel

You are always beautiful — remember that.

Head No.1 - Abstract Wood Sculpture

Lonely n°2/11

Love bear

Véronique

RX34Tb

Lustgarten 05

No name