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

Récitation à l’éloge d’une Reine

Happy Game V

The Ritual

Cascade de verdure

Catrine

Ilona

Neo Deco

Neo Deco - 02-09-24

Evanescence 2

Indigo Blue

Disheveled

Pure Line noir

No name

No name

Sur la vague

Tôt le matin

Kija

Samantha

Silhouette d'une fille

Sara

Chambre bleue

Lei ombra di cielo e terra

Jeune fille dénudée

Elévation

DisSimuLaTiO

AI

Street Fairy

Naked girl - (based on Yuri Pimenov)

You look at me sadly, Nevo 7

Bertrand avait chaud avec style

Laura #4

Encore un jour sans que Louis n'utilise le théorème de Pythagore

On sait tous où Bruno va aller juste après sa clope et son café

Presencia

Silent Beauty III

Silent Beauty I

Paz

Mais lâchez moi

L'amour fou

Pulsations

Bonding together

L'attente - Hotel Métropole Bruxelles

Face à Face du Guerrier

Réflexion du Guerrier

Espoir du Guerrier

Suggestion

Sous protection

Truant

Light in the dark

Tired face (Black Edition)

River

Manhattan

A Love Chapter

Windswept Dreams

To the Goal, No Matter What

Ethereal Connection

Empire grec

Ballerina no. 17, Series XXV

The last cigarette

Soirée trop arrosée

Jean Jacques

Sous le soleil

Un âtre de solitude

Faire bonne figure

Un jour vide

Je suis un loubard