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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Subcategories

Small

La Fenice (The Phoenix)

Mama

Hug in the Water

All that is solid

Untitled

Mue #13 (1)

Everything is Going to be Alright (Work No. 3531)

Untitled

The Likes of Us

TV clock. The broadcasts are over

Innocence in Collision

Etude sur papier

A_scared_Kojosei_notreally_

Agathe

The sound of music

Pixels

Chair Jazz

Flower memories

Abstraction concrète 160

Traffic full color Green

Cadence champêtre

Fusion des éléments

Cadences pastorales

Autumn gold ginkgo tree

Abstract 2265

Pablo

Vibrato

Lola

Margay (Réhaussée)

Floral Emotions

Vie d'atelier

Paysage 418

Abstract 2263

Artichoke

Le sens de l'espace

L'arbre vert

Une étoile de craie

Love…

Impulsion

Tumulte au pays des roses

Le skieur cubique

Connexions cérébrales

New light... (Origami 2024)

In the Warmth of Each Other

The last sunset

Rayonnement

Explosion orange et vert sur fond noir

Spectre city

Dream a little... (Origami 2024)

Tant qu'il y aura des fleurs

Le mont englouti

Ombre et lumière

Les mains florales

Sheep

Racconto di primavera 5

Each Day

Naufragés

Ascensionnel

Conscience

Esprit

Les voiliers de l'aurore... I (Esprit Voile)

Reflets du matin... (Esprit Voile)

Light The Sky

Chemistry

Rainbow Way-20250120

Tactile memory #120

Untitled. Unique embroidery artwork from the Durero series

Nature d'un rêve