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

Hello Kitty

Jarron

Mia Malkova portrait

The man next door I

Above

Contemporary Milpa. 32 x 32 cm each plate

Untitled

Tennis player

Baiser

Tic Tac Toe Game board

The rose...

Œdipe I

Tu as touché mon petit cœur

A man in a bar

From child's album

Untitled

La bougie

Liquid Milk

Trump at Home

Sans titre

NYC Streets - Waverly Place

Portrate of Frida Kahlo

Les inséparables

Comtesse PiouPiou

Pixels

P10

Corolle

Nude with a mirror

Itinérances

Femme nu

Solène

Sleep 3

Into the Light

Guy with a paste earring

Seated Nude and Landscape

Hansel and Gretel, Original Print of Watercolor drawing

A window

Femlin (original drawing on paper)

Reach out + Shake it (s)

Akt

Torse masculin

Looking for the past

Nude Series 4

Untitled 13

Lotus 1/8

Barocco Erotico II

Danseuse - Elancée II

Mathilde

De genolls 1

Standing Nude

L'arpenteur

Rêvons la ville nocturne - Let’s live city night life

Sans titre

Femme enroulée 1

Nymphe de dos avec statue et angelot

Aunque usted no lo crea

Lolita

Palme de la Victoire

With my dog

Untitled

Agapi

Femme nue Nude Lady 1910

Violet Moon

Meditation

Amuleto- B&W Photograph Portrait of the artist Framed

Numbness