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

Rimbaud

Ritratto di una giovane

Peter Hujar Portrait

Schiaparelli Portrait

Marc's blue shadow

Cheveux d'encre photo

Portrait de Constantin Tacou

Cheveux d'Encre Premier jour

À Joshua Tree

Dope 25

Rajao (Réhaussé / Hand-Embellished)

The Yellow Jacket

C.Z Guest Time cover

Icon collage (top)

Harry Brant in Connecticut

Jenna Lyons

Aba Novak

Prada puffy coats

Man in a blue and brown coat

Consentir C'est Abdiquer

On the Bow Bridge at Central Park

Vetements fall 21

Dior

Ludovic

Gucci Fall

Portrait de Margot

Phoenix

Vessel of Bloom

Ingrained

Emanate

Silhouette on Roses

Cool Goggles

Sans titre

Dream on

Peace goddess

Angel 3

Magnifying Glass (red)

Burn Baby Burn

Les Appelants

Titi Lapinture

Au Cabaret

La derniere lettre

Cinéma, lithographie originale

Les Ateliers de Chagall

Bookmobile

Emerge

Picnic In the Shade

Blue Chair !

Aequorea Victoria

La baigneuse

Marine

Joie

Bat For Lashes Halo

Curled Girl

Obey Punk Girl (Dance Floor Riot)

Obey Jonesy (Dance Floor Riot)

By Any Means (Dance Floor Riot)

Ange

Sunny Day II

Hollywood icons triptych 4

Femme au papillon

100th Anniversary Celebration Coffret # 9 - Childhood

Electric (Dance Floor Riot)

La Valseuse

Calavera

Untitled Portrait Drawing No. 1