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

La chaise

Coney Island of the mind, Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Music players

Pharaoh black diamond

White bird

Cavalier et femme nue allongée

Sans titre

Yolanda

Flamenco, Maria V

People on the coast

People on the coast II

Others

Untitled

Quelque-chose de magique...

La colombe

Quand j'étais petite

Peace

Carrousel

Printemps

Les chevaux de mes rêves galopent

Rêverie

Les fleurs de la musique

Mon ange

Cendrillon

Troïka

Les secrets de l'Océan

Mon ami le chat

Chariot d'amour

La muse de mes 20 ans

Shopping

Bronze masque

Wind

Bats, mon coeur

The artist

Portrait de fillette

Kinash

Enredados (Entwined)

Sankofa II

Portrait with a beard

Look into my eyes

Dreams of Japan

Madone

Les fougères

On stage

Portrait orange

Deux Têtes

Itali 1989

A la recherche du temps perdu

Andy Grey

Norfolk

Orange shirt

Scott

I-Type

Variation de Chouettes

Desperate

Sailor Mars

Mon ami

Broken Angelina

Broken Marilyn

MBAPPLE

Veridream

After

Head, small

Tender Solitude

Ichimane à la fleur blanche

Séduction en vert