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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Picnic In the Shade

Existenciel

Cœur de dragon

Blizzard

Bienveillante espérance

Mirage

Okayama

Naissance du Jour

Lové

Interiorité

La plaine innondée

Le ruisseau

Golden Hearts

Automne

Open Heart

Two Landscapes 142

Two Landscapes 89

Two Landscapes 51

Two Landscapes 136

Two Landscapes 118

Two Landscapes 103

Two Landscapes 113

Two Landscapes 124

Two Landscapes 131

Two Landscapes 155

Two Landscapes 152

Blue Lake 12

Kaleidoscope number 2

Kaleidoscope number 3

Éventail

Blue rain

Blue light

Pink touches

Autumn composition

Impulse N°10

Impulse N°16

Lies

Stimulus 5

Sinneswelt-teile 25

The Last Tango

The Long Wait

Mr. Dob

Hana03_5036

Sunset-Time

Le chat botté

Parcours Atypique

Illusion

Abstract color

You, enjoy life !

Sheep Are Sheep

I will not weep

Silence

Spring

Blue violet abstraction

Ritmo numero dos

Concrete composition 24

Golden Green

Blooming Waters

Mime-Mime

The Seedsof the Heart Blossom

Kringel Hellgelb / Türkis

Kringel Türkis / Neonorange

Spring Mood

Layerform #5

Layerform #6

Untitled. 7.222

Untitled. 7.221

Abstract Landscape 4.7.22