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

Umbrella Man

Hellebore No. 39

Nature Collection No. 1

Visions of Sedona. The Bell Rock faces

What?

Joyful patchwork

On the roadway

Chimera

Color reflections

Red tree

Searching for light

Mechanical heart

From the middle

Demands

Tigered

Inner

During the War

Eventide No. 2

Luminous

Mend No. 2

The Stained Glass Forest 20250414

Red Forest: When the Tiktok Refugees Paid the Cat Tax

Scarlet Dance 20250219

Spring shadows

Dark intention

Summit

Sunset in El Alto

Fall

Feuillage

Phenomenal

La palombe qui vole

Invoke

Endure No. 4

Outpouring

Untitled

Two Knights

Juan San Miguel Allende

Landing

The Powder Tower

Split Shadow

Eyes

Emotion 20200831

Emotion 20200606

Dancing With Van Gogh

Silent Dancers

Moon Dancer

Sun Dancer

Portrait of Guelfo Bianchini

Andalucia

Paysages premiers VI

Ilot 7

St Giles, Cripplegate

Superman

Disengaged

Floral delicacy

Machu Picchu

Gordes. Provence

Lucca. Tuscany, Italy

Too much rain

Bird and flower

Letters Of A Traveler

Nollendorfplatz

Swanston Street view from Princes Bridge

Guru

Entre el pantano

In a dessert on the way to Sedona