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…

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

6/9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Categories

Subcategories

Small

Daylight

Gold autumn

Autumn

In the woods

Clear weather

Snow covered

Silence

Like in fog

Autumn stubble

On the edge of the forest

The sun is setting

Colorful autumn

Evening

In the pasture

Behind the grove-grove

Autumn colors

On the hill

Red field

Frosty evening

Morning in the village

Distant land

House at the edge of the forest

Spring Winter

Skogsbadarna lll

The Forest Bathers ll

The Tarn

Vache Blanche

Red Roses

Hoverla

Carpathians. Summer

Winter in the Carpathians

Forest scene

Shore in the forest

Walk through the forest

Forest smell

Hot day in the forest

There is a river in the forest

Spring thaw

Stream in the forest

Outdoors

Forest walk

City view

Chernihiv forests

Summer day

Relaxation

Forest park

In the mountains

House in the forest

Evening landscape

Forêt lumineuse verte

Chalet en montagne

Sous les pins - Paysage forêt stylisée

Mountain landscape

In the forest

Nel bosco

Dead tree

Eternal sleeping

Au bout du monde

Forest with birch trees impressionism

Evening

Near the forest

Rustling Autumn's Leaves

Dark clouds

The river has risen

Evening landscape

Forest landscape