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

Inclos 13

Exclos 265

Geometric structures

Soirée trop arrosée

Drole de monsieur

Diagonale bleue irisée

L'art des livres

Arc en ciel de connaissances

Terre de grand feu

Geometrique

An invisible bound

Sans-Titre

The Future is Burning Red Horizons

Variation 14

Mon walkman

Le joueur de poker

Zebra 6

Terz Liten

Vitrail

Modulation XIX.

Composition 2 pour Cahiers d'Art

Time from the Mobility Within Series

Ek-stase

Untitled

Génome 2

Intériorité d'espace

Exclos 167

Untitled - Optical no. 7

Optical N.9

Star of Love

Untitled 4

Topology of feelings - III

Systèmes, hasard et téléphone (1) (1) (1)

Systèmes, hasard et téléphone (1) (1)

Sans-titre

Lumière du matin... (Esprit Voile)

Tsillag

Wild Kong Graffiti

Panther

Le Baiser

Hasards système et téléphone

Composition A

Composition rose déclinée

Fenêtre sur cour

Thief Rocker II

Signal IV

ELK

+ Eye Mask (I)

Génome 4

Sungate

Sitka

Atomos 25 B

Génome 9 A

L'espoir d'y être

Exclos 249

WavyGold

Signal III

SunHawk

Lemon Grass

False Idol II

Ziggy

Wavy Blue

Aubergine

Hightop

Un ciel de liberté...

Heart

Génome coeur (5)

Spyrite 8