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

Delft Bathroom Skull

Delft Flowers Skull

Pink Pop Skull

L'amoureux - Ecology

Happy Life

Tendresse - Jeux d'enfants

L'aviateur - Jeux d'enfants

Droopy in my youth

King Kong Wall Fragment

Disheveled

Courtesan

Street Fairy

Matins

Goddess

Public Sinners - Two Prints

Abridged Nudes - Two Prints

The Transgressors - Two Prints

Maiden Lovers - Two Prints

La lune n'a rien à craindre des loups #12

Complice - Innocence Urbaine

Nymphéas bleu (1)

Portrait

La fille qui voulait voir la mer N°8

Etendue spontanée - carré - 6

Etendue spontanée - carré - 5

Temple lotus. Colorful.

Le Origini Linguistiche

Cognassier du japon II

Cognassier du japon

L'arbre

Asters

Coyolxauhqui en el cielo

Marilyn Monroe 17

Courageous Dragon

Drapeau Love de Mr.Hope

Sun Mr.Hope

Le coeur de Mr.Hope

Au plus près

Male Nr. 121701

Village 28

Sand castles

Crisantemo

Dans les champs N7

Bill T. Jones

Andi with Rolleiflex in Yamamoto coat

La lettre

CeraCera Gold - Pablo Savón x Alëxone Dizac

Flower of Life

Girl at the table

Castor et Pollux

Nude #2, With My Eyes Closed

Gilded Landscape

Indras Net

Rosetta

WIld panther

Teddy (Nounours)

Who Are These Angels CXLIII

School Desk

Atmósfera

Platform-3

Liquid Love

Colors Of Africa: Kyalami 1979

Vertiges

Binti mrembo (beautiful girl)

Sans titre

Paysage village 1