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

Elegant Dominant #2

Marilyn in Famous Black Dress (1962)

Flexion à genoux Moodhanasana

Faune

Les contresignés (1) Série

Mer noir

Après ma cigarette c'est toi que je fume

Lapin songeur

Fête

Mimosas

Lady with a hat

I Will Live, Existence series

Sans titre

Marilyn colour nude on the bed

Comme un sol plus obscur 9

Perché n° 1

Les fiancés de la mer rouge

Fish & chips

Les contresignés (2) Série

Divas de Jazz #2

Fila

Coeur

Les patineuses

Rêverie printanière

Faune

Code 1956

Martian Bus Stop

Carrers de Reus

South Sea

Transplantation 4

Heart-XIV

Mistery-I

Code 1953

Dahlia No. 1

Plant Study No. 100

Plant Study No. 96

Plant Study No. 93

Plant Study No. 89

Plant Study No. 88

L'Arbre des Sages

Aura No. 3

Unbreakable

Graceful spirit

Oui mais bien sûr...!

L'affreux Robert

Dans la tête 2

Susanna and the Elders

Interlude No. 3

Mudra du cœur Apan Vayu

Statuette

Redhead Froggie

Summer Day II

Safe zone

About last night, encore et encore

Tight Rope Walker with Frogs

Ganesha. Royal case of elephantiasis

Untitled

Main Lumière

Support

Taali, série silhouette de femme

Alejandra

Bas Résille

Lucia at eleven

Les mots n'ont plus de bouche

Désir Noir, comme la Nuit

Narcisse (not Ulysses)