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

Paradis perdu, âme dévorée

Bras-Corps

Verdolini il Celebre Masseur

Chauchita

Ink #8

Sans titre (192)

Sans titre

Timeless 3

Summer Watercolor 1

Utopia serves us to walk

Summerfield joy

Cosmic Profile (original mixed media and watercolor)

Rest

Drawing

Seascape

A walk in the wood

Winter Calm

Grenouille

Centro con menbrillos

printemps

Sensuality with roses

Les lilas Romain Rolland

XXXVI 12

Neige sua Paris - Snow on Paris

Saint Tropez

Hôtel joyeux, Amboise

Paysage I

Lilac

Imagined destinations, Road sign ( Panneau indicateur )

Watermelon_01

Fleurs

Paysages de Chine

XXX From The Red Series

PF-F - Série Influences d'Asie

Woman

Entre Chien et Moi

Planche Originale AGATA Tome 2 page 28

Femme se deshabillant

Etoile du printemps

Natural Flow

Au pied du Salève

Water

Raz'ebala Vse Ebalo

Balade dans le Vieux Annecy

Visions

Cheese bell (4)

Malvern Hills

Mannequins

Concert irregular

Untitled

Untitled

Dream of a Lady

Hats-Stah

Paris 2024

Trois Grâces

Sans titre

Géométrique

Fafinette et Hmilo

L'attente

Intimate Talk

Portrait

Double standard 17. From The Series doble sStandard

Jean Michel Basquiat Portrait

The Writer

Les Moutons

Seascape