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

People on the beach

Geese in the yard

Lumière de l'Aube - Paysage celeste

Closer to evening

Master of the yard

Winter in the forest

Evening after a thunderstorm

Evening after a thunderstorm

L'Envolée (2)

Dam

Quiet Alley

Falaises

Shamane

Paysage ondulé

Paysage 2

Skiing Waitress

Paysages 252

Carré Rouge

Costa Brava

Round Ocean #69

View of the mountains from winery in Cyprus

Crépuscule au port

Balade Crétoise

Landscape with totems and mysterious light from the haired moon

Colorado No. 34

In upwind

Rapeseed blossom Poland

Where the bees settle

Kirchdorf Oberndorf - Marktes Roehrnbach

Kirchdorf Oberndorf - Marktes Roehrnbach

At the Perzente

Straw bales

Farewell with color

Heather blossom Lueneburg Heath

On my way to Poland

Externsteine I

Externsteine II

Prospect of a speedy recovery

Ranch Chivalry

Dawn

The Three from the Island

Kirchdorf Heath I

Kirchdorf II

Kirchdorf III

Last Summer Days 2024

Boats. Morning.

Autumn Talks/4

Melodies of Rain/7

Evening river-small sunset landscape

Evening glow-small sunset river landscape

Atom mit Lampen III

Vieille rue de Lourmarin

Bergerie en Provence, Le Destet

Spirit of Forest 24565

Spirit of Forest 23

November Mist ll

ciel serie 2 IIII

18C7

Late autumn /wind and rain...

Abandoned village

After the winter snowstorm

In the village

Entrancement

Butterfly Beach

Wave

Tamaris en fleurs