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

Abstract Composition

Abstract Composition

Abstract Composition

Abstract Composition

Résistant

Gamin à la lance

Oeil clos orange face

Les Vagues

Intérieur parisien Haussmanien

La mer infinie

Douceur hivernale

Soleil Jaune

Soleil Japonais sur Jungle

Riders on the Storm

Poème 20200620

Nu abstrait N°23 - Monstera palace Pièce N°6

Landscape sketch 24

Landscape sketch 18

Landscape sketch 14

Landscape 88

L i n e s - Blue note N°2

Nu abstrait N°23 - Monstera palace Pièce N°7

Landscape sketch 50

Paysages 234

Landscape sketch 23

Pattern Series #7

Color Swatch N°1

Abstrait nu N°4 - Ocre

Lotus 9

Canard

Procession - Scène bretonne et abstraction colorée

Black and white abstract

Black and white

Black and white

Black and white

White and black

Improvisation

Touch No. 4

Et le temps s'arrête

Blue pines - Loving trees N°3

The collector’s house blue

L'île sainte

Douceurs de rivières

Vol des oiseaux noirs

A vase full of Roses

Untitled 753

B241

Explosion orange et vert sur fond noir

Les toits éclairés par la lune

Pink Pines - Loving trees N°1

Sans titre

Volcan

Jeux de l'Echec Chinois

Stranger No. 3

Clarity No. 2

Gówna

Exercice de la mémoire

Landscape

Oiseau 2

Oiseau

Untitled 10

Untitled 9

Untitled 8

Untitled 7

Untitled 6

Untitled 5