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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Subcategories

Small

Women Talks

Lumière Volée 2

Portrait #1

Warrior Bride

Dance

Chapeau 18

Rebelles No°4

Portrait de classe 14

Still Cool

Masque abandonné

Frida

Portrait #2. From the Portraits series

Waiting

Untitled

Untitled q607

Untitled

La montée des eaux

Duo

Framed

Self Portrait

Wagner

Sole

Senza titolo

Invader - Rubik Enki Bilal

Portrait 1

Fée

Helping Hand, Charming Snakes and Earth Needs Us Both. Ceramic Vase sculptures

The Ceremony

New

Inspiration

003

Flammarion. Photograph intervened by the artists.

La Traviata - Rodolphe - 2e Acte

Les Amies

Fashion on the Street, Paris 1963

Kira (Burnished Gold)

Varanasi baby

No Valid Name #1

Mon ange

Portrait de jeune fille

Sans titre

A contre courant

Innocence in the Fields

A walk

Fragile

The Runner

Martin Luther King (The Truth Behind a Portrait)

Workday Conversations

The Girls

Unbreakable Bond

Jake not Dinos; Dinos not Jake

Portrait I (1)

Okta

Blue Blondie

Mick Jagger - Le poing - London - Derniers tirages

Pin up girl and jack pot 03

Paris Kapitale MissTic Paella

Les 3 O

Ballerina on a cube

Heart

Portrait de femme

Dog Save the Queen

Metis

Cherry Kate

Giant

Bob Marley