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

Get Out Spiderman skeleton

Le Rotatostroï du Barine Michaël

Cosi Fan Tutte Fleurdelise

Travelers

Nai (Identity Assertions Series)

The Girl's Own Paper, 1885

Cartografia aquàtica nº4

Raven's Pueblo

5 pm

Reciprocity - Composition

Duo Red

Tangled

Beky

10:32

The Closer I Get

Rhizome #26

Lava

White Spirit I

Structure métal II

Yellow Love

La Donna (The Queen)

Les p'tits Canailloux - Glace rouge

Daft punk

Untitled N. 41

Tonkar-434-3

Orchidée verte

Plaza Dorrego

Autoportrait 3

Painting 1

Met"cali"ca

Banksy Mouse

Hope

In the park of Barcelona

Sans titre

Listen to the Wind

Genesis

Integration

Lemon season I

Rendez vous - Scène de vie figurative sur le thème de l'enfance

Beyond Duality, Chroma Concentrics #3

Natacha

Animalism 1

The bridge 41203

Signature 6

Mors dorminorum (série)

Qu'allaient-ils donc faire dans cette trière?

View of the Forum Romanum

Untitled

Donald X Picasso

Sans titre

Sans-Titre

Miss Coquille Pow

Fresh Prince

Pour le Livre des Livres

Grigri

Marilyn Monroe

Souffle de l'univers

Untitled

Champ de l'herbe

Sans Titre

Dedicated to Botticelli 4

Shining Loneliness

Tailwind

Emotions of Crossed Fingers - Portrait of Asia Girl

La maladie de Hambourg

Pull