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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Subcategories

Small

Grass study no. 12

Fog No. 3

Floral No. 17

Floral No. 16

December No. 2

December

Iris No. 174

Iris No. 154

November Branches No. 17

The Supernova Remnant

Wild Rose No. 18

Shadow Study No. 9

Shadow Study No. 8

Shadow Study No. 7

Lily No. 12

Wild Rose No. 16

Touch No. 7

Touch No. 8

The Woods No. 150

The Woods No. 149

The Woods No. 147

The Woods No. 139

The Woods No. 132

Iris No. 149

Hellebore No. 22

Le bouquet de Gilles

Petite histoire

Blue Splash

Racing

Owl Eyes

Sunrise Seascape

Summerfield Season

Pink October

Je pense à toi

Le sac à main

Natural Flow

Old Lady Draws

The street

Reading letter

Songe du grand Duc

Château de Fougères

Doble Standard 17 and 14 Diptych. From The Doble Standard Series.

Family

Confidence

Lumière

Couché de soleil

Femme oiseaux et gravité

Automne 28

Femme africaine

Late Summer

Through nine seas – cover

The green wealth of the planet – cover

Sea

Totem

The Time Machine – cover

Sarah and the angels (from children’s bible)

Blind Isaac Blessing Jacob (from Children’s Bible)

Angels blind the depraved inhabitants of Sodom (from Children’s Bible)

Babylon (from children’s bible)

A la campagne

My Angels

Libre

Desbaratando nudos

Palabras por minuto

The Time Machine – cover

Abstract Joker