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

Totem Libellule

Melody of Joy

Untitled

Untitled

Les montagnes roses

Sans titre

Citrus elixir

Fleurs rouge

Etude de nature (1)

La douceur des vagues

Magritte X Mondrian

Coucher de soleil... (Origami 2024)

Eguator

ORI

Dansez les pins parasols

Topology of feelings - I

ENJOY PARIS

Two Landscapes16

Partition 15-4

Partition 15-3

Parcelle du monde 2

Parcelle du monde 1

Evening flowers - landscape of the Volsky Lily

From the Series "Bright Dreams 6"

Colored Nature #2

Pop Flower Galactic 2

Colored Nature 2

Pomegranate delight-texture fruit painting, red and green colors

Red rose

Landed

Ocea Blue Two

Reine de cœur

Colourful winter

Nympheas

Wild flowers

Spring in my garden

Red poppies and blue cornflowers

Green pond

Echanted garden

Journey of Life

Romantic dreams

Fight

Romantic dreams

Jungle Orange & Jaune sur noir

Soudain la lumière

Sphynx

Sampati

Arcane

Fonte

Hydre

Après le passage

Tropics Painting Coral Reef Fish Original Oil on Canvas Impasto Painting

Curva Etude n°: 2

Sweet morning blooms

Pop Up Flower

Summer Soul

Mondrian 3D K 25 Nr1

Emanate

Trilogie

Good Day. Seascape original painting

And All at Once

Lights and Shades

Au-delà 24

Abstraction 180 23

Color's cercles

Cosmic Veil

He is Not from Here

The Layers Between