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

The Girl's Own Paper, 1885

5 pm

Beky

White Spirit I

Daft punk

Autoportrait 3

Listen to the Wind

Natacha

Fresh Prince

Sans Titre

Dedicated to Botticelli 4

Shining Loneliness

Tailwind

Emotions of Crossed Fingers - Portrait of Asia Girl

A Private Meeting

Untitled II

Portrait de Leopold Zborowski (d'après)

A toy II

Deagan

Lou dans la cuisine à Vergisson

Golden David Design

Luana

The guiding light, Painting, Acrylic on canvas

Bleed 5 (Stranger Things Eleven)

Butterfly Lady

A Look Inside the Mirror

Inca

No brilho dos olhos

Kaori

Terrasse St Trop

Portrait abstrait

Yeah

I'm fine

Toi et Moi

El Duende 16

Sans-titre

Smile Sourire

Moine bouddhiste avec un jeune novice

Mucha

Portrait

X-mas Time is Here Again

Filoch bleu métal

Volcan

Friendly Alien #1

Profile with White Flower

Evie

Paradis perdu, âme dévorée

Serge Gainsbourg

Rencontres

Immersio 271

Framed Color Face II

Geisha Doreen

Woman Hiking up her Dress

When the world is in your hands

Fragile #1

Portrait 1

yellow pylon worker

Sans titre 7

They come down hard

Happy gathering time

Botched babe

Umano

Double Faces !

Audrey

Loves

Spring scent