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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Josane and Aldeni, Residents of Communities in the Demini River Region, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Sebastião Salgado

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography - 16 x 20 inch

€9,146

Josane and Aldeni, Residents of Communities in the Demini River Region, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Adão Yawanawá in a Headdress of Eagle Feathers, Village of Nova Esperança Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (M)

Sebastião Salgado

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography - 16 x 20 inch

€9,146

Adão Yawanawá in a Headdress of Eagle Feathers, Village of Nova Esperança Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (S)

Sebastião Salgado

Photography - 27.9 x 35.6 cm Photography - 11 x 14 inch

€8,689

Girls Yara, Kamorishi, Bianca, and Ana Shina Asháninka Play at Checking Each Other’s Hair for Lice. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (L)

Sebastião Salgado

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography - 16 x 20 inch

€10,061

Girls Yara, Kamorishi, Bianca, and Ana Shina Asháninka Play at Checking Each Other’s Hair for Lice. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (M)

Sebastião Salgado

Photography - 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography - 16 x 20 inch

€9,146

Girls Yara, Kamorishi, Bianca, and Ana Shina Asháninka Play at Checking Each Other’s Hair for Lice. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (S)

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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Sir Ridley Scott 2

Untitled

Untitled

Ecuador (M)

Ecuador (S)

Tanzania (M)

Tanzania (S)

Sumatra, Indonesia (M)

Sumatra, Indonesia (S)

Ecuador II (M)

Ecuador II (S)

Ecuador IV (M)

Ecuador IV (S)

Pernanbuco, Brazil (M)

Pernanbuco, Brazil (S)

Rajasthan Canal Works, India (M)

Rajasthan Canal Works, India (S)

Siberia, Russia (M)

Siberia, Russia (S)

Ecuador VI (M)

Ecuador VI (S)

Vallée de l’Omo, Ethiopia (M)

Vallée de l’Omo, Ethiopia (S)

South Sudan (M)

South Sudan (S)

Vallée de l’Omo, Éthiopie (M)

Vallée de l’Omo, Éthiopie (S)

Bushmen, Botswana (M)

Bushmen, Botswana (S)

Hademari Village, Papua New Guinea (M)

Hademari Village, Papua New Guinea (S)

Biraci Brasil (Nishiwaká), leader of the Yawanawá of the Upper Rio Gregório (M)

Biraci Brasil (Nishiwaká), leader of the Yawanawá of the Upper Rio Gregório (S)

Eliane, from the Yawanawá tribe, Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (M)

Eliane, from the Yawanawá tribe, Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (S)

Kamayurá pajés (shamans). Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (M)

Kamayurá pajés (shamans). Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (S)

Keiá Yawanawa, a young Yawanawá shaman (M)

Keiá Yawanawa, a young Yawanawá shaman (S)

Luísa, Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (M)

Luísa, Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (S)

Cousins Hahani, Tiniru, and Ugunja, Suruwahá Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Cousins Hahani, Tiniru, and Ugunja, Suruwahá Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Josane and Aldeni, Residents of Communities in the Demini River Region, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Josane and Aldeni, Residents of Communities in the Demini River Region, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Manda Yawanawá, from the Village of Escondido, Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (M)

Adão Yawanawá in a Headdress of Eagle Feathers, Village of Nova Esperança Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (M)

Adão Yawanawá in a Headdress of Eagle Feathers, Village of Nova Esperança Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (S)

Girls Yara, Kamorishi, Bianca, and Ana Shina Asháninka Play at Checking Each Other’s Hair for Lice. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (L)

Girls Yara, Kamorishi, Bianca, and Ana Shina Asháninka Play at Checking Each Other’s Hair for Lice. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (M)

Girls Yara, Kamorishi, Bianca, and Ana Shina Asháninka Play at Checking Each Other’s Hair for Lice. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (S)

Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (S)

Shaman Ângelo Barcelos, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Shaman Ângelo Barcelos, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Girls

Roadster

Population 20 11 1976, Population d'images

Rebalance

Untitled, From the series winter soul

Untitled, From the series ephemeral dreams

Untitled, From the series ephemeral dreams

Untitled

Megève Winter Serenity

Tracks XVI

Tracks XI

Au-delà de nous-même 2