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

Escalier dans le vieux Naples, vendeuse de châtaigne et antiquaire

Etoile du printemps

La vieillesse consolant la jeunesse 1987

Les trois barques

Grand canal de nuit à Venise

Winter Glow

Harmonie 30

Kaleidoscope of Art

Miranda 2

Retro ballet

Fountain vase, série Zephyr

Opposite Lamp

Barques de pêcheur dans le port

Barques de pêcheurs et pêcheurs au port au clair de lune

Toits enneigés

Opening. Gap.

Arbre de vie

Bouquet de roses

Village sous la neige

Balade au bord du lac Léman

Luna

La Resistenza

Tout juste mariés

Vue d'un petit port

Joseph Two Bulls

Nouveau Soleil 24.06

Barocco 12

Chauchita

La Humanidad y su peso extraño

Still Life With Bottles

Experience d'Icare

Vague

Sweet Dragon Gentil

A(A-Un)

At the border

Alone in a Cloud

Mountain

Surréaliste 1972 Surrealist, Population d'images Images population

Queen J

Le Cube

Untitled

Strange Birds with a warm heart Nr 3 & 4

Positive energy

Blugregli

Continuum 43 - Paris

Destructuration 2/8

Dolce Vita

Obsolète

Museaux Paris

Les Moutons

Untitled

Ovale-paysage n°5

Un día tranquilo

Un tableau ne vit que ...

USA. New York. Black is Beautiful. 1968

Girl

L'étranger - série Sculpture portrait de femme

Chimère XX

Leaves 1

La Chambre Verte - Blossom - 2

Mental Overload

Shoebox

Francis Bacon

The three moons

Intervention

Moon face