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

Les Belles Canapéennes 4

Sur la plage ensoleillée...

Le Lapin

MV. 24-10 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

Woman on a Bed

Untitled

Untitled

Sisyphe IV

Sisyphe III

Circles

Black bed

La lune n'a rien à craindre des loups #12

Aphrodite

If I had a pig, I would name it Nevo 8

Duchándome en Cuerpo Ajeno

Claire en fin de journée

Lamar

Stephanie I

Anneso 02.2015 Lyon, France

Shoot Love

Adam and Eve VIII

The Three Graces

Nude

MV. 24-1 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

MV. 24-6 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

Seul le chien

Sans titre IV

Fièvre Rouge

Carnality

Ilvy Kokomo

Florence Andrea 2

Gabriel

Espoir du Guerrier

La lune n'a rien à craindre des loups #15

La lune n'a rien à craindre des loups #34

La lune n'a rien à craindre des loups #13

La lune n'a rien à craindre des loups #19

La lune n'a rien à craindre des loups #14

NUDE Lovers 2

Portrait Renverse

Device

Women

Life of my Flatmates, Belgium

Eva Biechy

Nu de dos

Sirène

Le presque plus simple appareil

La vie traverse nos corps, comme des étoiles filantes

Elle voulait montrer son ventre à Dieu.x

Noire Tendresse

2Sand and Water 12

Sand and Water 10

Sand and Water 5

Sand and Water 4

Sand and Water 1

PrintSet

Ilvy Kokomo 3

Eva Biechy 2

Romi Muse 2

Raspberry Jam 8

Fruits of the earth III

Nude

Zoi 2

Dreams

Étude de la sculpture "MKE"

Cineris from Renascere Series