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

The sensual intoxication

Aventure d'une libertine XIX. From The Secret Album Series

Water Nymph

Salamba bleu Outre-mer

Nocturne

Two Graces

Sans titre (diptyque)

Disheveled

Untitled

Untitled

Couple lisant

Le Cris

Éclat de cosmos

Apesanteur

Cineris. De la serie Renascere

The enigma - H0371

Aluminum figurine

Sin título (Identity Assertions Series)

Nu assise sur rocher

They won!

No name

Selfish Love

No name

Neo Deco 15-09-24

Heart of the Horizon

Carnival

Reclining figure

P9

P7

P5

P4

P3

Higher Self

Late night fun

Watch Out

Liberté - série sculpture corps de femme

Écho de lumière 1-22

Shopping

Slap

Nu Caravelle

Tornem-hi IV

Sur la vague

Tôt le matin

Kija

Samantha

Silhouette d'une fille

Sara

Chambre bleue

Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (M)

Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil (S)

Rainy erotica-III

Rainy erotica-I

O último beijo (Le dernier baiser)

Study I

Sleeping Girl

Univers'elle

Sérénité

Étude

Predator

Bouquet

Danseuse

Chloris 1/8

Time to Play

Winter with Sabi

The Icelolly

Covid Times