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

Burst of Color

Festival of Petals

West Papua, Indonesia (M)

West Papua, Indonesia (S)

Climbing Tree, Mentawai, Indonesia (S)

Blooming spring

Lilac on the bench

Bouquet of flowers

Daffodils

Mandarins

Sunlit Corner

Star Jewelry, I am that I am

Kyoto 17

Les papillons

Afternoon Shadows

Geraniums Blooming. Floral Oil painting

Purple Rose - Thorns and Thorns

Autumn Wildflowers

Poppies

Chateau de cartes

Allium

Éther floral en éclat d'âme

Summer

Sunlight

Blooming cherrytrees 44

Autumn in the wood

Blue Floral

Red Rose Bush - small floral art

Ouverture du printemps

Textured flowers

Water Lilies

White Rose

Baroque Leaves (B&W)

White Flower

Hosta Flower

Two Hosta Flowers

Hosta Flower Amidst Leaves

Blossoms of the almond tree

La pensée fleurie

Rose's embrace

Morning's rose bloom

Spring's flowers

Sunflowers of Provence

Blooming in sunshine

In the Heart of the Garden II

Vase of vibrant sunflowers

Vibrant blooms and light

Flower Dress

Yellow Flowers

Flowers and doll

Naturmort

red banane

Fiori

Summer dreams

Jellyfish 2

Passionate Burst

Still life

Organism 2.2

Organism 2.1

Organism 2.4

Organism 2.3

Organism 3.2

Organism 3.3

Organism 3.1

Organism 3.4

Organism 4.3