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

Poema visual 4

All Together

An Artist at Work (Self-portrait)

L’amie des béliers

I'll always stand by your side

Muhammed Ali

Nuance 17

Earing Girl & Basquiat

Lighted Medusa Neon Design

Mono Lisa in Pop Art Life

Creative Gaze

Regarde là bas

Hercules’ first labor

Golden goddess Isis

True African beauty - Yellow handmade sculpture for home decor

Golden gaze: The design skull sculpture

Winged wonder Hermes god sculpture

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart bust

Metropolis

C'est une Belle Journée

Flower girls

Mélodie orange

Câlins

Rosi

Amena

Ballerina no. 21, Series XXV

Ballerina no. 20, Series XXV

Forbidden

Aquara

Ephemeral Elegance

Femme chinoise

Rêves de Japon

Femme dans les nuages

Pink Mist

Positive posture 1

Costumer Design

Demain après-midi

La Traviata - Rodolpe - 4e Acte

Bamboo Backbone Woman

Constellations

A corner at Dries van Noten’s home

L'éventail

Je pense à toi

Brigitte

Night Gown

Sunset portrait of a forest creature

Sister of the water

Passionnément

Créating is Résisting

Trap

Beauté 15

TT24

Bellesa interior IX

Le Poète

Queen of Korea

La gitane

Blonde à la robe bleue

Femme au chapeau

Eva

Vortex Reverie

Ethereal Reflection

Inséparables

Two Girls on the Roadside

True African Beauty Gold&Black Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

Le guitariste

Racconto di primavera 10