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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Subcategories

Small

Portrait

Monna Lisa

Nightmares-XII

Nightmares-IV

Van Gogh

Please don't kill my vibe

Imperial Death Trooper

Hercules Yakuza

Golden Streak Artemis

Golden Beauty David

Fine Marble Zeus

David & Aphrodite

Daft Punk Meets The Greeks

Binge Watcher David

Red maiden. Love

Red maiden. Hope

Red maiden. Faith

Red maiden. Dragonfly. 3

Red maiden. Dragonfly. 2

Red maiden. Dragonfly. 1

Seashell

Cornflowers.

Bells

Mademoiselle Colette

Yellow mood

Summer mood

Nostalgia for the sea

Mood

Life is pretty but complicated

30's Upside Down

Monica

Aquarelle graphique 9

Aquarelle graphique 9

Sourires 2

Aquarelle graphique 3

Aquarelle graphique 2

Aquarelle graphique 10

Directive Forces. Photograph intervened by the artists

Contrebasse

Bassiste

Trumpet Jazz

Le baiser 4

Empreinte mythique d'un chef indien

Riflesso

Cover n°12

Line 6

The portrait

Portrait of a girl

Between black and white

Angel Breitling

Baroque (4)

#Artvoyou in UK

Girl Ballons military

Beauté 4

Blue flowers

Portrait songeur

L’île de l'insomnie VII

Geisha royale

Doux regard de soie

Soliloquy Framed. Photograph intervened by the artists

Phenomenal

Et les fleurs persistent

Delighted Pink

China Girl - Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print

Serge et Jane in New York

Le modèle épouvanté.