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

Fred

Skyblue Sun

Time off Blue

Red book

A found

Shell

Gol Zidane ganador inspiración Antony Gormley

The Woman Who Defeated Pain (Frida Kahlo) Letterpress

Bloom of Consciousness

Petal Reflections

Universal dignity letterpress

Lightness

Sid in tune with discord

Bob Marley 40th (Set of 3: Confrontation, Soul Rebel, Lively Up Yourself)

La fleur aux dents

Nuit d'été

Hope Of Deliverance (Orange)

Drifting

Édition Caractère Clint 30

Tant qu'il y aura des fleurs

The Fragile Balance

Self-violence

Vanishing Words

Abstract Love

Portrait X

Getting at the Heart & Eve in Repose. From the Behind Closed Doors Series

Dreaming in Technicolor & Melancholy Remedy

Drifting (Papyrus)

Portrait XII

Portrait IX

Portrait VIII

Portrait VII

Portrait VI

Portrait V

Portrait IV

Portrait XIII

Portrait II

Portrait I

Racconto di primavera 5

La jeune fille pressée

Synthèse enfant avec ballon

Sans titre

Édition Le regard de David 30

Ferragosto

Enfant avec ballon magique rouge 34

I'll hold you in my heart woman

Sheep

France climatique

Styles Change - Style Endures - Black

La tristeza

Diptych Lock and Key, Rattling Cages, Carved Porcelain Decorative Plates

New horizons

Hombre de la Luna

Zoom Dali

A Confiança

Saudade

Arrow mustard and navy

Benjamin Franklin Pop Art Painting - Antifragile

Untitled

Donne V

Retrato en fondo verde

Sitting Bull

The Space Between

Hair France

Gray's Anatomy

Not With Me (Papyrus)