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

Iris No. 207

Floral No. 53

Floral No. 52

Floral No. 51

Floral No. 50

Floral No. 41

Floral No. 47

By Alessandro Michele for Valentino. From the Fashion series

The Woods No. 144

Hellebore No. 18

Typical Poet

Humand Architect

Ghost

Feel No. 10

Searching No. 3

Radiant

Aura No. 3

2001

Chat au crépuscule

Le premier paquebot

Phare d'Alexandrie

When the glass is broken/What is good wine?

William F. Buckley and Pat Buckley at home in NY. From the Interiors series

Isabella Blow in Philip Tracey

Almond trees in bloom

Pirineos

paysage enneigé. Paysages Montagnes

paysage enneigé. Paysages Montagnes

Pat Buckley leaving town

Supermodels in Vogue

Queen Camilla

Fred Hughes and Diana Vreeland in New York

Figures

The bluebird

Cindy Sherman Discovers Instagram

Jeffrey Deitch Protected by His Angels Warhol and Basquiat

Poppies No. 3

La pointe du Gaou - Cyanotype T2

Emotion 20231221

Wake board

Bolero mallorquin

Winter Birches

New England Lighthouse

Untitled 59

Memories 3

Unusual activity

Arbre caillou baillant aux corneilles

Le tutu

Glide on water

Sans titre

Ecluse du Canal du Midi

Foins en Auvergne

Swallow No. 40

Lilies No. 4

Robin No. 11

White-Eye

Hummingbird No. 7

Kingfisher No. 3

Autumnal no. 23

Peony

Barcelona Street

Street

Salon IlI

Salon

Salon Il

#Artvoyou in UK