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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Subcategories

Small

Trompe l'oeil, Greetings From Giza

Room 2

Night in Paris Nuit 1966 Danseuse en jaune Dancer in yellow

Nigh in Paris Nuit Casino Flirt

Night in Paris Nuit Mère 1966 Mère et enfant au Casino Mother Child Paris

Nostalgie

Target

Untitled SSM 17

Untitled SM 14

Untited SM 12

Untitled SM 11

Untitled SM 10

Code 1925

Passionnément

Evening river-small sunset landscape

Evening glow-small sunset river landscape

Urban art hand

Dionysus Bust

Brush

Bellesa interior V

Bellesa interior III

Bellesa interior II

La Plage - série bord de mer

Regard ancien

De-ci, de-là...

Sunny day

Lemons

Renaissance bleue

Love Forever

Tamaris en fleurs

Morning

Trèfle incarnat

Flowers 2

Sunny Wind

Derriere Le Miroir

The problem with the wolf

Costa Brava

Marbella

VIP

Untitled

Changed

Tête d’Hermès

Flexion à genoux Moodhanasana

We Will

An Artist at Work (Self-portrait)

Série : Le soir - 2ème tableau

Keep Your Friends' Luck (Based on A. Dumas's The Three Musketeers)

The Brave Gascon (Based on A. Dumas's The Three Musketeers)

Zayn

Confused

Victoire

All around the globe

Décision

Moon N°2

Red

Squatter Building Berlin

At the Zoo

Farmers

Otium

Circo

Unstoppable

Barcelona green water

Lanzarote

Ciel vue d'avion

Crimson Serenity

Boujee Miss America