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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Upside Down

Go-between

La fée clochette

Bastet

Ensemble

Man Having Tea

Four Person in One

La sénégalaise

Anima e Animus

The Embrace

Sevilla

Twin Brother

Bonheur Éphémère

Bound By Time 1

Little Sun

Illibatezza

Padre

Portrait d'homme

Girl with a Cat

La procession des guerriers

Léviathan

A Private Meeting

Diego Rivera

Sugar free III

La petite Sainte Coquette

Judith Malina at La Mama Theatre

Paris, Déambulation 3

Frau - Woman

Afro Crown 1

Winter night

Untitled

Stay

My first born - Mon premier né

La question

The cathedral II

Poolside

Ritual

Summer

I'm fine

Duo - sculpture scène de vie homme et femme

Welcoming Spring

Portrait fétiche

Avant

Bubble Gum

Jour de pluie

Cascade

Pastorale africaine - Complicité, frères et soeurs

Rose Notre-Dame 8

Andy Warhol and Keith Haring

Aquarelles graphiques 3

Els sons d'un 23 d'abril

Uma

Études pour les passants

These 2 photos were taken ....

48

Two Figures

Circus

Hope

When the world is in your hands

My culture and my beauty 2

Egg girl in green

Big Horns

Mecrob - Silhaya 1/8

Ghetto Blaster

Personnages

Sleepy