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

Subdued

Homage

Obeisance

Sweet Dreamer

Pin-up au serpent

Ragolles et béruchet

Untitled

Marilyn in Vogue (1962)

Cervides

Marilyn Monroe

Coquette

Germination

Heart Stealer

Goddess Bast

Keith Richards

Rolling Stones (Keith Richard)

54

83

Duo de Muses 65-23

Silent solitude

Nymphs Empty Spaces and Maiol Nymphs. Photographs Intervened by the artists

5 minutes de discrétion

Nu au rocher

Nu Wild Child

Nu avec ballon

Belisama Bleu mer 19-41

Sans titre

They were in Forty Pairs, Thus Numbering Fourscore.., from Four Tales from the Arabian Nights

Disrobing Her with His Own Hand..., from Four Tales from the Arabian Nights

March

La baigneuse (Nana de berlin)

The Watcher

En forêt (1)

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre

Etudes pour un paysage idéal n°1

Troux divine

Notre pain quotidien

Sans titre

Untitled

Buste de Louise

Le triangle prasita pradottanasana

Pied de femme sur pied d’homme : Et Alors?

Sumatori

Le pigeon Kapothasana

Isadora Sketch V

Flight of Fancy

Détente

From the Series Passion

From the Series Passion

Mourir pour vivre - série sculpture bronze corps humain

Nude Art II-22

Net Trap

Coronation

Mother's Embrace, Gardens of Resilience series

Before you leave

Lying man

Juego I

Perdedor

Marilyn jewels down the back

Arnaud fait très bien le poirier

À l'écoute de l'étoile

Étude Corps Féminin 14

Pussy Spray

Morris’s lover 8