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

Ceramic Style Delft Skull (1)

Delft Bathroom Skull

Delft Flowers Skull

Pink Pop Skull

La fillette psyché

La fillette au cœur qui s'envole Love

Prière

L'ange

La fillette dentelle au cœur

Thoughtfulness

Teresa

Mother Love

Wicked girl

Disheveled

No name

DisSimuLaTiO

Street Fairy

You look at me sadly, Nevo 7

Silent Beauty III

Silent Beauty I

Tired face (Black Edition)

Unstoppable

Breath

She Waits Silently

Graceful spirit

La jeune fille de Delft à la grenade

Sans crainte

Wild Flowers (Edition Vieillie)

Se acabo la magia

La danse insolite

Uncle Scrooge & The Golden Toss

Un sourire

Portrait

La fille qui voulait voir la mer N°8

Coyolxauhqui en el cielo

Marilyn Monroe 17

Team Love, Tapachula, Mexico

Leurre

Optimus Metallicus / TrashFormers series

The Old Soldier VS Beautiful Young Zealot

Gremlins

Simple Uncle Sam

Complémentaires

Butterfly

Taxi Driver, June 13

Primavera

Audrey et Eléphants

Grand Palais, Paris

Desperate

Life in the Carpathians, Romania

Seated Woman

The winner

Mechanical Mermaids

Sepulchre

Femme à la ceinture

La confiance

Chapeau

Robe jaune 1 ref BDNW11665

Fleur

Concorso d'eleganza

In flight I

Ecrans

Water

Self-portrait

Angel

Méternité