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

Untitled

Don Quixote

Le Banquet

Commission for Melissa 50 lance

Luke McAlister

La sarneghera

Paul Eluard (Un poème dans chaque livre Paul Eluard) Ref BDNW2922

Bénédiction

Appareil photo Création Christer Hamp L'homme à la moustache, 1995

Sans titre

Femme Disciple de Socrate 1970 Woman Socrates Disciple

Le Petit Prince revisite Keith Haring

Sans Titre

Study

Frank

Bazaar

The Stolen Kiss

Uppercut

The Geometry of Consciousness 1

Untitled (92)

Untitled

Portrait de Sophie

Face

Hat and glasses

Portrait de femme amérindienne

Sans titre

Et puis une fois, vos yeux

Et le verbe fût

La Mère Fénollan (la Mère marchande)

Red Thread#3

Amy Winehouse

Dalí

Fille et voler

Mariana Mirage

All Mixed Up

Icon Betty

Portrait of Italo Balbo

Champin de Lyon et son perroquet - Portrait figuratif

In the time of dreaming

C'est déjà si loin

Louiza

Gabriel García Márquez Portrait

James Clerk Maxwell

Sèrie Albades. Albada 02

Roitelet couronné

#6 Grethe - Série: Woman on wood, portrait de femme

Little Gulliver

Gucumatz

Andy, you rock

Patways to bliss 1

Alexandre le Grand

Hero Time (Yellow)

Untitled #10 From Los Infortunios De La Virtud Series

Anticipation of Cake

Chinese Interior #1

Jeunes filles

Dream Lake 2

Portrait of man

Le retour

Il s'en va

Bob Ooblong

78116

Sweet space voyage

Jeune fille

Portrait

Aramata