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…

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

25/100 1 10 20 23 24 25 26 27 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Categories

Subcategories

Small

French Bulldog

Ghetto Blaster

Drawing

Frozen River

Blossom

La porte rouge

Miami

These 2 photos were taken ....

Untitled

L’accueil

Trunklestiltskins out and about

Common Grounds

Sticking to my post

Farewell to winter. Hello spring!

Patriarche

Paysage bleu 5

Sans titre

The Pfizer Effect

Seascape

Stay

The Fall 5

Le livre des livres

Ibrid Cracovia

Card Game

Arboleda

Récompensé

Figure in the sticks

Strange Birds with a warm heart Nr 3 & 4

Le Minus

Gelb-Rot-Blau-Braun

Solaris 1

Le Bonheur c’est Nous

Grand Piano: Melody is a feeling that chose to be heard

Migration élégante

Trittico A: 3

Montagnes perdues

Biginning

Untitled

Duo

Redrawn Map

N° 373 A l'auberge, l'hiver.

Coffee & Cigarette 5

L'univers des Yayas - N° 328

Still life

Untitled

Le petit bonheur

Ritual

A walk in the wood

Eva

Arum Lily #1

Helios II

Moon night

1987 Cubintra Variation XVI

Fractale 2

Skull

Le Système Solaire

All left behind

Fish with garlic

Summer

Noise of City Series

Avant

The Boy With the Donut Balloon

Bubble Gum

Candelabra

No Title

Untitled