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

Element

Riskoleum

Jeu d'écriture (rouge) - 1 | Writing game (red) - 1

Winter Calm

Watermelon_01

Sans titre (Un poème dans chaque livre Paul Eluard) Ref BDNW2903

La dame au camée

1978 Green Abstraction verte

Fleurs

Paysages de Chine

Vie sous marine - 1

En Floride

Les chats

Village 04

Rising Tide

Discobole

Pleine Lune Nuages Gris (Purple)

printemps

Daydream

Montagnes Sacrées Diptyque 1

XXX From The Red Series

PF-F - Série Influences d'Asie

Maison Carrée

Kurt Cobain

Generaciones

Mémoire - Série Pop colorée

Mild Blush

The unveiled souls #9

Imagined destinations, Road sign ( Panneau indicateur )

Camouflaged

Greenwood

Paysage de Chine 1

Harmony in disarray

Divergent paths #7

Lucky catcher

Sha La La

Boxing Kangoo

Tre linee con arabesco n. 368

Le touareg

A Courtesan in the Field of Silver Grass

Chez Alfredo

Composition avec visages

Soviet

Heinrich HEINE Il Romanzero 1974

Bivalva

House & gate

Bard

Portrait

Samurai

Playfulness

Triste

Consecration

Deux chiens

Lifeguard Headquarters

Visage de cuivre Abstraction Copper Face

Bouquet of gratitude

Twins

No Fun! from "In the Floating World"

Femme endormie

Cheval rouge

Reposando

Conscience

Iconic Gameboy Nike - Blanc et rouge - Nintendo

Daily Life

Woman

Tube II