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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Small

Plus jamais seuls

A Gentle Summer

Olympia

Ligne nu N°1

L'attente 30 (4)

L'attente 30 (3)

Dolie aux nattes,

La sastelroussine

Yvelines

Le beau navire

A celle qui est trop gaie

Envol des oiseaux.

Sugar

Collection Sanitized - Un Anonyme Nu Dans Le Salon

Étude Corps féminin 11

Woman (a tribute to Matisse)

Blue nude (a tribute to Matisse)

Naked model

P6

P1

Madam in Blue Gloves

Muchacha frente al lago

N° 263 La confusions des traits du temps.

N° 441 Camouflage

N° 558 Le rêve.

Lily in fur

Boy

Libra

Une reconquête moderne de l’espace classique I.

Fly in White

Sans titre

Amapola

Née de la Vague

Female figure

La rose

Eros 4

Shadow 11

Submission

Juno

Muse Series #1

Nudes on the Beach

Blue Periwinkle

Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine

Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine

Summer body

Nude #2

Nude #1

Egoportrait no.1

Charlotte

Poppy

Marianne

Chained Melody

Contemplate

Gesture Study No. 7

Body No. 1

Tamarynd #2

Ski - Le Dôme du Gouter - Série : Enjoy skiing

Ski - Moz'aïque - Série Enjoy Skiing - Papier fine Arts

Fragment Escultòric Petit Nº 7

Fragment Escultòric Petit Nº 3

Fragment Escultòric Petit Nº 2

Fragment Escultòric Petit Nº 1

Aqua verde

Yogilates

Bronze Figurine of a Woman

Gesture study no. 6