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

Emotion 20210424

Emotion 20210414-4

Floral No. 30

Floral No. 26

Floral No. 23

Flow No. 3

Flow No. 2

New Mexico No. 12

New Mexico No. 10

Colorado No. 35

Impromptu No. 12

Appalachians No. 13

Appalachians No. 10

Shadow Study No. 5

Hellebore No. 32

Colorado No. 19

New Mexico No. 5

Iris No. 155

4th Floor

Blue water dots

Aquarelle graphique 1

Knotty Pine Motel (shot frame from movie: The Sure Thing (1985))

Délicatesse

Souvenirs inoubliables 22

Souvenirs inoubliables 21

Souvenirs inoubliables 20

Souvenirs inoubliables 19

Souvenirs inoubliables 18

Souvenirs inoubliables 17

Souvenirs inoubliables 16

Souvenirs inoubliables 15

Souvenirs inoubliables 14

Ecume

6RV

Aquarelle graphique 6

Vogue #4

Vogue Paris

Vogue #2

Vogue #1

Vogue #3

Buddha of light

Printemps en Lauragais

A2 canale di burano

Inverno a Burano

Rabbits, Light in the Forest

Advertising Sketch

The Whisper of the Old New Synagogue

The Golden Sunrise Of Tyn

On Rhodes

Poppy peace

Cosmic Flyer

Automne 29

Automne 30

Paysages abstraits 30

Paysages abstraits 6

Paysages abstraits 8

Paysages abstraits 7

Paysages abstraits 4

Paysages abstraits 5

Paysages abstraits I

Paysages abstraits II

Paysages abstraits III

Printemps 19

Printemps 17

Printemps 18

Printemps 15