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

Apparition _ Appearance

Echo géométrique - Geometrical echo

Enigme convergente - Convergent enigma

Danse des formes - Dancing shapes

Contraste en silence - Silent contrast

Eclipse de l'âme - Eclipse of the soul

Cactus

Cercle par déplacement

Végétal

Maturité

Mobile

Bauformen

Polychrome 4

Chromatic dialog #71

Chromatic dialog #69

Chromatic dialog #66

Chromatic dialog #68

Chromatic dialog #67

Cadences II

Untitled 10

Untitled 9

Untitled 8

Untitled 7

Looking for connection

Happiness

Textura

PARTIR

Slopes B2

Slopes B4

Slopes B6

Slopes B8

The Cosmic Spirit 8. From The Cosmic Spirit Series

The Cosmic Spirit 7. From The Cosmic Spirit Series

The Cosmic Spirit 5. From The Cosmic Spirit Series

Cosmic Play 13. From The Cosmic Play Series

Cosmic Play 12. From The Cosmic Play Series

Cosmic Play 9. From The Cosmic Play Series

The Seeking being

The Self 28

The Self 18

The Self 17

Mother with child / Ubermensch IV/

Horizontal and Vertical Movements #2. From The Rectangular Composition Series

Sans titre

Line 1222-02

TOTEM From Barcares, 1970 To Seoul Olympiads, 1988

2 Sculptures 1978

Sculpture Quadri 1977

3 Sculptures 1977

Moon Shin Museum Sculptures & Design 1977

1975 Sculptures monumentales avec enfants MOON SHIN MUSEUM & Monumental sculptures with child -

TOTEM From Barcarès 1973 to Seoul Olympiads

Woodstock Paper 1973 TOTEM From Barcarès 1973 To Seoul Olympiads 1988

TOTEM De Barcarès aux Olympiades de Séoul TOTEM From Barcarès to SEOUL Olympiads 1971

Woodstock Barcarès Sculptures 1971

7 Sculptures TOTEM Barcarès 1971 & SEOUL Olympiads 1988

Blue Moon Shin Museum Sculpture Bleue 1972

1979 The Ant Sculpture La Fourmi

Men in Black Sculpture Moon Shin Collection MMCA Museum Modern Contemporary Art 1978

Sculpture rouge et noire E.T Red and Black Sculpture

DUO DANCING Sculpture 1979

WAR Sculpture 1979 GUERRE MMCA MUSEUM SEOUL Collection

4 Abstract black Sculptures 4 Sculptures Abstraites en Noir 1972

Design Moon Shin Museum 1977

TRIO Sculpture 1972

Victoire Sculpture Victory 1972

Sculptures Two Ants and TOTEM et Deux Fourmis 1975

Sienna 4 sculptures Siennes 1976