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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Red Seams on Blue

Ribs 12

Red Boat in Sunset

Hollywood series

Two bottles

Meeting place I

King Pop Black

Ex Boyfriends 1

Grenouille

French Bulldog

Armille - Sculpture pâte de verre composée de 5 éléments mobiles

L'aurore

Words Out there AJ17

Jour de pluie

Pyramid (hand signed three dimensional screen print)

Cargos

Cascade

Sonic Ripple I

Rose Notre-Dame 8

Fragmented Landscape (3D)

The Sound of Love

Burbuja segura

Signature 16

Love (gun)

Amis Mensch Friends

Red Riding Hood

Les Bains Déligny

Geoide #3. From The Geoide Series

Végetaniamals 15

London

Monochrom N92

QR Code

People of the Street

Études pour les passants

Surrender

Nai (Identity Assertions Series)

Go to your goal

Guillermo

Pretty Pewter

Untitled

No reiller, "Souvenir d'enfance"

Bouquet

Montana Black (Yellow) Handfinished

48

New York torres

Fleurs

Converse

City legends

Girl in the city (Double)

Centro con menbrillos

Flower Totoro III

Homage to Thelonious Monk

Bivalva

Untitled

Loved Your Beauty

Cercle - rose

Els sons d'un 23 d'abril

Kebichu - Kebichu

Hope

printemps

Can Can B.

Uma

Wild Flower IV

Happiness Is Something That You Share

Littoral

Jim