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

Japanese Lanterns

Gacko bear love pop art Porsche

NY Sbarro

Deux bleus sur noir

France voies navigables

Underground

Famous PB

Midel silver

Provence numéro 7

Pola Molitor

Equanimity_2022 20

Peoni

Something to lick mini #029

Bauhaus Girl no. 3

Végas pop art star wars

Self portrait with between clock and bed

The bees' dance 2

Colored Waves

Persée

Projet pour Hennessy

The Park from January to Spring

Grand taureau brun

Nebulous

The Joyful Goose

Mystic Passion

Le trait - 04

Barnús vermell

Color spots III

The three of us

A Colorful Pond

This is us, Vacation on the Happy Island series

Oracles et spectacles 1

Murmure

Lightness

Flowers Painting African Tree Pohutukawa

Blue Simphony / Symphonie en bleue

Miroir d'Artistes

Hanami 3

Quatre-vingt-dix 2

Mme Deborah

Make art not war

Aperol Spritz 2

Schwurhand: Wandernde

Arche à intérioriser

Pénélope

Dada The Fairy Tail

A Graffiti Life

Gathering (original mixed media on paper)

Bretagne

Composition

USA Code Barre Steve McQueen Sport 3

NotWithstanding

A un passo dal cielo

Art Lovers hand finished

Concrete dream

Sans titre

Petite nature morte

Cruising

Renouveau

NYC Subway Map VII - The GOAT

Sans titre 30

El Mar

Sans titre

Au Grand Radeau

Something about childhood 4

Sans titre