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

Coeur de beurre

Fairy

Landscape 2

Ref 16-23 - Carpe Diem

Leftover man 1

Leftover man 2

David the golden boy

Disney after dark

Two halves make a whole - Handmade sculpture for home decor

Bouquetin

Réf 12-23 - Améthyste

Jam session-XX

Abstract landscape-XIII

Mmmh graffiti

The Place Between 6.

Portrait with hand on chin

The Place Between 4.

Bain de lasers & lumières

Acid party David - Handmade sculpture for home decor

Choose love David

Batman feat Hercules - Handmade sculpture for home decor

Isis’ strength

Golden boy Hermes - Handmade sculpture for home decor

Hercules Yakuza

Medusas’ protective gaze

Poseidon’s Gaze

Love hurts

Power of Zeus

True African beauty - Gold&Black handmade sculpture for home decor

Golden glory the David with mask

Eros bust

Grecian woman bust

Demosthenes bust

Dionysus bust

No. 72

No. 131

No. 99

Integration I.

Lost&Found XXXII.

Visual excerpt I.

Place Narrative 14.

Illusive stability 17.

Hidden Story 14.

Les visionnaires du temps - Abstraction en mouvement

Where Is Home No.3

Saltwater 7

Blue Lake 11

Nice to meet you

Uni-Cone - Handmade sculpture for home decor

Zodiac - Coffret Set complet de 13 prints

Gye Nyame I

Rhythms in Blue

Krema

Vitralo

The End Is The Beginning

Wild Promises

Infinite Moments

Leftover man

Turbulence

Walking in Beauty

Soul Surfing

Mémoire du temps N° 25

Mémoire du temps N° 24

Mémoire du temps N°23

Mémoire du temps N° 18

Shamane