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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Auzelina Piyãko Asháninka and daughter making seed necklaces. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, state of Acre (M)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€9,146

Auzelina Piyãko Asháninka and daughter making seed necklaces. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, state of Acre (S)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€8,689

Mount Roraima covered in clouds on the border between Brazil and Guyana. Monte Roraima National Park, State of Roraima, Brazil (M)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€9,146

Mount Roraima covered in clouds on the border between Brazil and Guyana. Monte Roraima National Park, State of Roraima, Brazil (S)

Marauiá mountain range. Yanomami Indigenous Territory, Municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€9,146

Marauiá mountain range. Yanomami Indigenous Territory, Municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€8,689

Two Kuikuro men pull the fishing net through the lake near their village in preparation for the women’s ceremony during Kuarup. Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (S)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€9,146

Two Kuikuro men pull the fishing net through the lake near their village in preparation for the women’s ceremony during Kuarup. Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (S)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€8,689

The blackwater of the Rio Negro glints white in sunlight and turns pitch black when not in direct sun. Anavilhanas National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€9,146

The blackwater of the Rio Negro glints white in sunlight and turns pitch black when not in direct sun. Anavilhanas National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€8,689

The blackwater of the Rio Negro glints white in sunlight and turns pitch black when not in direct sun. Anavilhanas National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Sebastião Salgado

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

€9,146

The blackwater of the Rio Negro glints white in sunlight and turns pitch black when not in direct sun. Anavilhanas National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Young Hatiri bathes in a backwater of the Pretão stream, which the indigenous people call Jukihi. Suruwahá Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

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Small

Ecuador III (M)

Ecuador III (S)

Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, Russia (M)

Karnataka, India (M)

Karnataka, India (S)

Territoire Indigène de Raposa-Serra do Sol, Etat du Roraima (M)

Territoire Indigène de Raposa-Serra do Sol, Etat du Roraima (S)

Rio Negro, Etat d’Amazonas (S)

Ecuador V (M)

Ecuador V (S)

Patagonia, Chile (M)

Patagonia, Chile (S)

Rajasthan, India (M)

Rajasthan, India (S)

Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, Russia (M)

Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, Russia (S)

Rio Negro, Etat d’Amazonas (M)

Rio Negro, Etat d’Amazonas (S)

Okavango Delta, Botswana (M)

Okavango Delta, Botswana (S)

Wolverine Lake, Canada (S)

Moving Iceberg, Weddell Sea, Artic Peninsula (M)

Moving Iceberg, Weddell Sea, Artic Peninsula (S)

State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (M)

State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (S)

Rajasthan Canal Works, India (M)

Rajasthan Canal Works, India (S)

Willis Islands, South Georgia (M)

Willis Islands, South Georgia (S)

Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, Russia (M)

Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, Russia (S)

Antarctica (M)

Antarctica (S)

Tsingy National Park, Bemaraha, Madagascar (M)

Tsingy National Park, Bemaraha, Madagascar (S)

West Papua, Indonesia (S)

Auzelina Piyãko Asháninka and daughter making seed necklaces. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, state of Acre (M)

Auzelina Piyãko Asháninka and daughter making seed necklaces. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, state of Acre (S)

Mount Roraima covered in clouds on the border between Brazil and Guyana. Monte Roraima National Park, State of Roraima, Brazil (M)

Mount Roraima covered in clouds on the border between Brazil and Guyana. Monte Roraima National Park, State of Roraima, Brazil (S)

Warriors face off in huka-huka fight, Waurá Village, Xingu Indigenous Territory (M)

Warriors face off in huka-huka fight, Waurá Village, Xingu Indigenous Territory (S)

Marauiá mountain range. Yanomami Indigenous Territory, Municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Marauiá mountain range. Yanomami Indigenous Territory, Municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Two Kuikuro men pull the fishing net through the lake near their village in preparation for the women’s ceremony during Kuarup. Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (S)

Two Kuikuro men pull the fishing net through the lake near their village in preparation for the women’s ceremony during Kuarup. Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (S)

The blackwater of the Rio Negro glints white in sunlight and turns pitch black when not in direct sun. Anavilhanas National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

The blackwater of the Rio Negro glints white in sunlight and turns pitch black when not in direct sun. Anavilhanas National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

The blackwater of the Rio Negro glints white in sunlight and turns pitch black when not in direct sun. Anavilhanas National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

The blackwater of the Rio Negro glints white in sunlight and turns pitch black when not in direct sun. Anavilhanas National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Kuikuro warriors parade during Kuarup festival, Xingu Indigenous Territory (M)

Kuikuro warriors parade during Kuarup festival, Xingu Indigenous Territory (S)

Waterfall on the Erepecuru River. Zo’é Indigenous Territory, State of Pará, Brazil (M)

Waterfall on the Erepecuru River. Zo’é Indigenous Territory, State of Pará, Brazil (S)

Sleeping Beauty Mountains - São Gabriel da Cachoeira (M)

Sleeping Beauty Mountains - São Gabriel da Cachoeira (S)

State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Young Hatiri bathes in a backwater of the Pretão stream, which the indigenous people call Jukihi. Suruwahá Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Jauari Palm Trees, Jaú River, Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Jauari Palm Trees, Jaú River, Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (S)

Yanomami Indians, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)

Four Zo’é Women, Zo’é Indigenous Territory, State of Pará, Brazil (S)

River Landscape, Estuary of the Jaú River, Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil (M)