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

Make love not war

Jeune fille aux papillons

Louie Louie

Greek god Apollo

The goddess of the hunt - Handmade sculpture for home decor

Ludwig van Beethoven

Falaises

Mask

Delighted

Devine

Baby

Bluejoy

Bear in Kamchatka

Drum Shaman Bear

Scarabée d'or

Cosmic Web

Portraits

Police and Woman

Maggio Fiorentino

Goodbye Maremma

The Old and Soldier

Erotic Scene

Gardener

N° 1122 Le père

Chemin de bois (Suite complète)

Sans Titre

Sans Titre

Sans Titre

Parfois il vaut mieux se taire

Une aprèm au musée

New garden

Heart n°1

Saint Suaire

Abstraros

Reflections Of A Teenage Girl

Deeply

Super Hero 2 Stamps

Giambattista Valli Haute couture

Lady on the sofa 2

At home

AH!

Mountains at Sunset

Lighthouse

Daft Punk meets the greeks

Coq, le 10 ème

Rose

Trois

Sortilèges n°4

Sortilèges n°2

Sortilèges n°3

Estudi del braç

Colours of David

Binge watcher David

Imperial death Trooper

Fine marble Zeus

Golden streak Artemis

Hercules Last Supper

Van Gogh

The Veiled Vestal Virgin Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

Urge

Sacrifices made to the nymphs

Serpent, le 6 ème

Singe, le 9 ème

En boucle

Pretty in Yellow

Abstract No. 2024