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

Twiggy

Vénus de Frida

Elvis - Refraction #4

Frida Matisse

Serge visant au F2 Nikon, derniers tirages !

Charlot et le chien

James Rosenquist in Studio, 1964

Claes Oldenburg, 1964

Andy Warhol with 16mm Film Projector, 1964

James Rosenquist in Studio 2, 1964

Andy Warhol with Portraits, 1964

Andy Warhol, New York, 1964

Venus Stromae

Legobama

Venus d'Angelina

C-3PO Mug Shot

Robert Smith - The Cure - The Top Wet in London - Derniers tirages

Sting

Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, 1978

Martin Scorsese - 2006

BB King Kodalith Performance - Orange Jacket, LA Forum

The Beatles Posing Together, "Our World" Satellite Broadcast Press Event, EMI Studios, London

The Beatles Posing with Balloons, "Our World" Satellite Broadcast Press Event, EMI Studios, London

Tina Turner, Los Angeles

BB King Kodalith Performance - Close up, LA Forum

Iggy Pop, Ann Arbor, MI, 1968

Iggy Pop in the Studio, Ann Arbor, MI, 1969 (13)Iggy Pop, Ann Arbor, MI, 1969

The Stooges, Ann Arbor, MI, 1969

Tina Turner, Los Angeles, CA

Miles Davis, Fillmore East, NYC, June 17, 1970 III

The Rolling Stones Group Portrait, London, 1965

Debbie Harry and Joey Ramone, MSG, NYC 1987

Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, NYC 1988

Bashung / Rio Grande

The Clash / Mogador

Frida Kahlo

Shakespeare

Nina Hagen, Grèce

Pete Townsend

Keith the New Barbarians

Mick Jagger Rolling Stones Tour 1972

Jagger 1965

Brian Jones

Keith Richards

Leonard Cohen

JM Basquiat

Kylian Mbappe France

Marilyn pop

Sonia Rykiel

Yves Saint Laurent

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at BottleRock Valley Festival

The Rolling Stones, Desert Trip Indio

Rush Live at Concord Pavillion

Neil Peart of RUSH Live at Concord Pavilion

Lemmy Kilmister of Mötorhead, Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View

Jimi Hendrix

Frida Kahlo colors

Zidane

Gainsbourg

Magic Gandhi

Rush Black and White

Bill Gibbons

Group Shot - New York, 1964

Andy Warhol on Throne, 1964

Roy Lichtenstein, 1964

Andy Warhol with Boxes, 1964