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

Cloud Hawk

Roller Coaster

Tuxedo

Matisse

Himilaya Blue

Preppy

Home

Purification

Hear the Silence

La La Bola

Spiritual Sobornost

Liberated Forest: Red Carnival versus White Elegy

Seltener Hase

Seltener Vogel VI

Seltener Fisch III

Marsfeld CXXVII

Marsfeld CXXVI

Joyeuse équipe

Happy Teddy Bear

Une étoile de craie

Ethereal Dawn II

Serenity V - White box frame

Fortresses

Le chant des oiseaux... (Origami 2022)

Cœur pour toi

Autumn Nocturne 20241022

The way home

Une pluie de bonheur

Power of colors - yellow, green, white, colourful abstraction, drops, expressionism dropping

Feeling of energy - yellow, green, white, colourful large abstraction, drops, expressionism dropping

Blue violet abstraction

Echo of Motion

Ink

A l'infinie

Le sud de mes envies

Nature elements

Fleurs du printemps

Composition en rose (1)

Composition en rose

Paysage mental

Azur

Night view

Plongeon

Horizon

Rêverie en bleue

Coulée de rouge

Symphonie

Composition abstraite

Flag with Heart

Two Landscapes 66

Two Landscapes 98

Jump session (Jazzy)-XXII

Jump session (Jazzy)-XXI

Nature Torride

The portrait of the malice aforethought

REF 7-25 - Harmonie

Ginestart

REF 28-24 - Ordre et chaos

Amour Bobigny

Untitled

Homage to Francis Bacon: Study For Head of George Dyer

Homage to Francis Bacon: Study For Head of Isabel Rawsthorne

Colourful landscape

Colourful spring

Light in the wood

Summer in my countryside

Crimson Whispers at Sunset

Magical autumn