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

Untitled

Tulip dialogue explosion

Sunset over the river

Flower Calla Lilly

Loriaocles Emeraltus

Été

Marché de Monségur

The Long Journey

Greetings from Louis Marcoussis to Countess Pecci Blunt

Argnac - Composition abstraite

Lonzo Ball Pelicans

Muslim

9 mois

Paris

Deux femme dansantes en intérieur

1971 La Commune Centenaire

Composition

Chemin au bord de l'eau

Miro’s Dilemma

Colored Fields

Flower Pot

Vue d'ensemble sur Commugny, Suisse

Late Art Deco Period Cubist Nautical Harbour Scene

Militaires en discussion

Les dunes sur la côte belge

Retour du marché en bord de mer et bateaux de pêche

Voiliers au bord d'une île des cyclades dans la mer d'Égée

Montagne

The Three Virgins of Aragon

Untitled

Sans titre

In her eyes, a lifetime

The Tree

Vegetation

Personnage et poisson

The Portrait

Dibujo años 50

Jeune fille

Strip Nature

Abstract Composition

Woman

La touareg du Sahara

Aquarellencre 230824

Academie Française (RF06)

Hongui

L'élégante

Sans titre

The Tree

Sans titre

Pop nights

Untitled 4 (Nature Takes Back series)

Landscape

Morning in the village

Au lever

Jeune fille au Bouquet

La Sainte-Victoire

Dame en pleine écriture

Place de l'hôtel de ville à Paris

La Ruffe

All Shook Up

Rencontre

Taxi Driver, June 13

Pigeon-Monstera

Mallow

Il paradiso può attendere

Desperate