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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Bird Pair with White Flowers

Bleed 2 (Stranger Things Eleven)

Orangé

Lesi

Heavenly Innocence

Echoes of Solitude

Pyramides de Meroé

City on the water

Holding Peace

The Three of Us

The Flower Keeper

Peace by Her Side

Love and a Dove

Peace Between Us

Safe in Her Arms

Melody of Five

Sans titre

Blooming Haven

Mayahi

Hadramaut

Coraux multicolores

Lutte

Lifted by Love

Ange

La Méduse - série Art abstrait

Arbre à oiseaux - série Paysage

Red Buckets

Spirale de feu

Rosace

Interstellaire

Galimatia

Artifice

Mémoire du Temps n°56

Village de Polminhac

Pommiers en fleurs

Cage / Sans Titre

Les Joyeux

Oak

Poule faisane

Bal d'été, gravures et collagraphies

Aqua, série gravures et collagraphies

Belle de nuit, série gravures et collagraphies

Fragrance, série gravures et collagraphies

Intercession Church

Graff #108

Superman - Luxurious

Fading Memories

Punk Wonder Woman

Water 01

Ladies and gentlemen

Harvest in Fiery Landscape

Hokusai Petit Prince

Crock de toi Royal Hermes 3/8

Judo

N° 1104 Belgrade 1. Le coup de foudre.

N° 1102 Prague 7. Quartier Josefov.

Back in the Street

Merienda

Cage / Sans titre

Cage / Sans titre

Cage / Sans titre

Cage / Sans titre

Cage / Sans titre

Cage / Sans titre

Cage / Sans titre

Cage / Sans titre