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

O'Temps

Emergence

Modern Geometric Abstract Artwork – Neutral Tones

Self-Portrait 24.152

J'appuie sur la gâchette

L'original

Wall Object #3

M.160303

Noir Flashy

Untitled

La Gota Fría

Nudo

Assembler Violeta N°3

Trebol Indigo

Assembler Violeta N°2

Entre Nous

Cipher number 50

Blocs

CG 16

CG12

CG11

My Angels

3 bleus, 3 rouges, 1 noir

So Noir

Ferocious - Size S

Geometric 03

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Faïence n°7

Faïence n°9

Faïence n°10

Scars

Expression I - Série graphique courbe et traits

Expression II - Série graphique courbe et traits

Expression III - Série graphique courbe et traits

Illusion III - Série graphique courbe et traits

Illusion I - Série graphique courbe et traits

Illusion IV - Série graphique courbe et traits

Outrances

Illusion II - Série graphique courbe et traits

Black Corners

Geometric 04

White Corners

Yellow Corners

Blu Corners

Intenciones del silencio XVI

Zukroy

Title n°350

Green energy

Yellow Passage

Turquoise Tapered Semi-Circle

Composition no. 1

LA

Cube 24 b

Cube 24

7552

Sphères #42

Carrés dorés - composition graphique abstraite

Carrés dorés

Carrés cuivrés 4 - composition graphique abstraite

Au soleil du soir

ID Forme 37