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

4 Lips (S)

Umbrella Silhouette II (XS)

Umbrella Silhouette (S)

The Kiss Silhouette (S)

Gunslinger Silhouette

The Lion Queen

Sophia Loren

Sean Connery as Bond (M)

Robert Redford with Richard Helms (XS)

Dean Martin (S)

Paul McCartney at Ringo Starr’s Wedding (M)

Audrey Hepburn in Pool View 2 (S)

Audrey Hepburn in Pool (Black and White) (S) (1)

Brigitte Bardot with Dog (Co-signed edition) (S)

Silencio

Splash

Be cool 3 pièce unique style industriel

Come on unique style industriel

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Untitled

Puro... alegria

Insomnie

Smile

Le roman

Parfum de magie

13 + 1

Portrait De Jacques De Chapeaurouge / Portrait Of Jacques De Chapeaurouge (1744-1805)

La java bleue

Gravure

Rubber Glove Dame

Not James Dean

Cosmic Girl

Pause Cigarette #3

Pause Cigarette #2 B.B.

Le Penseur

A Way of Life

Au mur

Bird in the Wind

Naked girl - (based on Yuri Pimenov)

Un incroyable câlin

Parfois il vaut mieux se taire

T'es triste? Arrête!

Nadia

Chloé

Café Saint Georges

Encore un jour sans que Louis n'utilise le théorème de Pythagore

On sait tous où Bruno va aller juste après sa clope et son café

Ca claque bien la bise ici

Samuel sentait encore le sexe

Bertrand avait chaud avec style

J'y réfléchirai promis

Happy Game V

Súplicas

No name

En boucle

Le poids du monde

Frida

Le docteur

A l'infinie

Série femme pantin

Nouvelle vie

Avenir

Estampe concubine pensée

D'âme

Tick Tock

Fighting Joe