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

Playfulness

Twins

No Fun! from "In the Floating World"

Femme endormie

Woman

Franco

At the Butcher’s

Sensuality with roses

Escena de playa

Bastet

Pas de titre

Femme se deshabillant

Picado original

La vieillesse consolant la jeunesse 1987

Retro ballet

Joseph Two Bulls

Chauchita

A(A-Un)

Surréaliste 1972 Surrealist, Population d'images Images population

Queen J

Le Cube

Destructuration 2/8

Dolce Vita

USA. New York. Black is Beautiful. 1968

Girl

L'étranger - série Sculpture portrait de femme

Chimère XX

Mental Overload

Francis Bacon

Moon face

Mère et enfant

Elderly Men

You look at me sadly, Nevo 1

Mythological composition

Self Care V

Le egipcia y su cicatriz. (Serie importancia del YO)

Late Night Behind the Bar in New Orleans

La porte bleue

Rosalia

Ultra Lumen Lamp Sculpture

Raz'ebala Vse Ebalo

Doll Motanka

Visions

Dame à l'éventail

Square Dance

Le Minus

Poolside

Journal d'un confiné - 4

Salma

Summernights

5- Masque à l'os

Woman with a white cat

Sauveteuses

Madone avec enfants et angelot

Ritratto

L’adieu aux armes, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzanie

Madone

Comfort and Grace

Sans titre III

Sans titre

Ohne Titel (2 Köpfe und Pflanzen)

Pamplemousse

Liseuse en chapeau

Le petit bonheur

Circus

Mirrored Case - Jewel Sapphire