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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Magic Tools

Warm wind, Shades of Love series

Ensembles

Ethereal Charm

Muhammed Ali

Donkey and little girl

Loki's daughter

Rhinoceros and his rider

In the Arena or My Favourite Bull

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart bust

Stay with me

La Baignade

Boat in the city port

Coffee cup on pink tablecloth

Blooming

Rêve d'un ange

Au Cabaret

18A5

Winter lotus

Golden Buddha

At home

Mother and child

Jeux d'ombre

Cabanes bleue

Irises. Delicate flowers

Lemon tree on grey

Sea Wolf

Self-portrait as Jack Sparrow (Series Where does all this rum always disappear to?)

Without Fear and Reproach

New Generation

Win

Little World No.9

Promenade au bord de l'eau

Dépaysement

Sunlit seclusion

Energie

Amoung Suns, moons and stars

Mademoiselle 37

En harmonie

Le penseur, d'après Rodin

Adso

Toko

L'ombre des songes

Portrait #52. From the Portraits series

Conversation

Soldiers

Figures

Figure

Portrait

Conversation

Painter

Figure

L'affût

Figures on beach

Nous ne sommes pas les derniers 211

002

Ivana and Nan in the front row

Under the Moon and Stars

Diamond (Red)

Father Portrait 1974

MarteauxKiss

A dandy in the garden of black roses

Witness Series

Portrait 1

Joyful Moment 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Children

Hundert tage für salzburg, 1984