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

Audrey With Dove

Ballerina IV

Rose No. 5

Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil (M)

Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, Russia (S)

Rajasthan, India (S)

Wolverine Lake, Canada (M)

Gold Mine of Serra Pelada (M)

Bighorn Creek, Canada (M)

Macbeth : Le complot

Fidelity

Untitled #29

Untitled #22

Untitled #4

Untitled #3

Untitled #1

Camera Domestica

Iconic Beauty #02

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L'Envers

Le Rêve

L'Accroche

Hand on the Camera, Mexico

Polygon, Caracas, Venezuela

Floral Ecstasy #1

Dancing Flower

New Flower

Iconiques de Fabrizio La Torre - Set # 1 (Portfolio de 5 tirages) New York (1956)

Photographie fine art - Alpage à Megève : paysage enneigée hivernal minimaliste

Mediation of the Sunshine

Time, fleating

Eye Catching

Garçon cuisine

Homme intérieur

Saleuse

Enfants qui lisent

Homme qui fume

La mécanicienne

Photographie fine art - Sous le givre : alpage enneigée en paysage hivernal minimaliste

Untitled (Identity Dreams Series)

Shine On Your Crazy Diamonds (Identity Promises Series)

Bright path - Size S

River - Size S

Black Iris - Size S

La Délicate - Size S

Village Adrianna

Mur 008

Mur 005

Mur 001

Light

Le vent

Il traghetto, janvier 1956 - New York

the doors Morisson

À travers l'horloge

On the moon 06 - série portraits de femmes

On the moon 02 - série portraits de femmes

On the moon 01 - série portraits de femmes

Sir Ridley Scott 2

Untitled

Untitled

Girls

Roadster

Steve McQueen. War Lover. Maquillage II

Winter wind

Winter wind II