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

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Untitled

Red Tomato

Escale à Saint-Malo

Sous-bois

La fillette psyché

Tripe

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Requiem II

Without title

Prediction

Ourson LV

Gorille

Post Mortem V

Aphorisme

Nous deux

Aime le monde

Col de San Stefano

Tête de Ventasuso

Mont Séti

Cyclades

Ravello sea pointview - Amalfitan Coast

Pointview on the gulf - Sorrento Italy painting

La fillette dentelle au cœur

Quand ma matrioshka rencontre Banksy

Quand ma matrioshka rencontre Klimt

Parrot (1)

Parrot

Night in Positano square version - Amalfitan Coast painting

La Mouche - The Fly

Countryside with flowers - Tuscany landscape painting & frame

Les maquereaux (1)

Violet Tulips

Blue parrot

Blue parrots

Tulip

Tulip

Morning Peony

Petals Unfolding

White peony

Magic peony

Dew on the lotus

Dew on a peony

Lilac reflections

Lake of lotus secrets

Nightfall reflections

Floral Symphony

Lampara 1

Barcelone

La cerise

Giraffe

Money bomb

Connection