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

Sergei Sviatchenko - Capacity For Conjuring Illusion 6

Sergei Sviatchenko - Capacity For Conjuring Illusion 4

Sergei Sviatchenko - Capacity For Conjuring Illusion 1

Some nights

Drinking in L.A.

Bart so foot

Mario gulf

Rock and roll

Vanité

Making Eyes Across The Room ( Yellow )

Balade

No just numbers

Rencontres Improbables 023 - Rêve de poupée

Bardot Holopeinture

Heir

Sergei Sviatchenko - Capacity For Conjuring Illusion 7

Monkey

Mickey

Colpo al Castello di Rivoli

Le Tracce del Lupo - Diabolik

Il prigioniero di Porto Azzurro - Diabolik

Agguato sul fondo

Senza tregua

Scacco a Diabolik

Assassini in fuga

Inganno fatale

Il delitto di Ginko

Big Balloon Ganesha

Campbell's Soup

Picsou Love

Allégorie du temps qui passe série religions et civilisations

Dialogue entre les Dieux série religions et civilisations

Le fumeur mélancolique série relations humaines

Minifig-1

Art Is Life

Love

Million dollar kitty

Monopoly Godann Version

Luxe Chat & Volupté

Gucci Broken Horsebit Trash Bag

Holiday UK (Set of 3)

Kaws – Holiday Singapore (Set of 3)

Kid4Ever - Innocence Urbaine

Moet x Chandon wine bottle

Roboclusions Daft Punks Transparents

Roboclusions Daft Punks Black Silver and Gold

Street Connoisseur - Keep it Real - Pink

Bruce's Angel

Mes amours de panda

Empowerment

Zahia White

Festive

Mona Lisa x Louis Vuitton

Oracle

Greta's lavender Honey

Throwback

The Ace

Leather reveries

La fille au coeur

Le petit prince

Angry Mickey

Mur-mur d'Amour - Innocence Urbaine

XOXO - Innocence Urbaine

LV X Nike sneaker (Brown)

Ocean Pearl

Flake – Loser [20th anniversary bust]