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

Hot Mess

Sans titre (1)

Coup de Tête

20240120

Light in the forest

A Village river

Anémones

Bright Love III

Sailboat With Hearts On Blends

Cultural appropriation

Flowing Energy 41

Flowing Energy 40

Profanities V | Opposing evidence

Angel with Heart

Cosmic Runner

Love

Without Borders #9

Sailboat I

Profanities III

Profanities II

Statue of Liberty

Profanities I

Drowned Vue

Today, I have hope

Landscape 2

Totem Nébuleuses N°1

Dragons Cave

Sans Titre

Sans Titre

Sans Titre

Algeria! Algeria!

Untitled 110/7

Skarsgård and Paris, Portraits Intervened by the artists.

You

Dame royale

Les yeux ne savent pas mentir

Abstraction VII

Turquoise vibes

Petals of tranquility

Città vecchia

River

Sacrifices made to the nymphs

Les iles diaprées

True African Beauty Gold&Black Handmade Sculpture for Home Decor

Histoire d'un soir

Le Origini Linguistiche

Meditation

Vivere la vita

Pop Shop I (3)

Kaleidoscope Bouquet

Love and tenderness. Lions

Paddy

Abstract Coral Reef

Des sourires pour les fleurs

Giraffes

Blue sunset with a pink cloud

Sunny day

Sans titre 25

Sans titre 24

Sans titre 23

Sun and Water

Fragmented Rhythm

Magic Yayoi

Entangled Rhythms

Balloon Journey

Calligraphie

Composition au nu vert

Paysage