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

Bowie In The Mirror

Bowie Eating Lunch

Bowie Close Up

Bowie Beverly Hills

Bowie As Ziggy

Bowie As Ziggy

Bowie And Sax

Bowie And Ronson On Stage

Bowie And Ronson On Stage

Bowie And Cyrinda Foxe

Mick Jagger On Stage

Rimbaud pop

Abba

The Beatles

Joker

The smile of Eva Green

Sweet Marilyn

Marilyn drive-in

Marilyn dream

Frida Kahlo en la casa azul, Coyoacán, Mexico

Enjoy life

Homage to Marilyn Monroe

Frida Kahlo

Day of a champion I

LeBron James

Eminem

Fashion Apple

Homage to James Bond (007)

Homage to Brigitte Bardot

Homage to Audrey Hepburn

Sans titre (marx)

Mains et Poésie Blaise Cendrars 1987 Hands and Poetry

Diane Kruger 4

Diane Kruger I

Magic Yayoi

Clint Eastwood

Mr ET

Father & Son, Long Island Sound, NY

OK To Sign?, Disney World, FL

Sgt Pepper Way, NYC

Smile Away, NYC

Kate Moss Diamond

Giant Bottle Kate Moss Disney

Le Corbusier

Joker phoenix

Colors coeurs

France Gall

Vanessa Paradis street Art

Lino Ventura street Art

MOZaRT

JM Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Uproarious Road - Beatles

Snoop Dogg

Gwen Stefani - Anaheim Pond, Anaheim, CA

Michael Jackson - LA Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA (II)

Michael Jackson - LA Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, (III)

Bob Marley at Berkshire Music Glen, (II)

Jet Li - Los Angeles, California

Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller Pose for a Portrait to Promote their Film 'Starsky & Hutch' - Los Angeles, CA 2004

Carmen Electra - Los Angeles, California 1998 II

Steve Martin 2007 (II)

Will Ferrell (II) - Los Angeles, CA 2007

Martin Scorsese - 2006

Jane Monheit - New York, US 2003 (IV)