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

Vaudeville Forklift

Octobre

From Ireland With Love

Io ballo coi lupi

Nostalgia

I Ripidi Anni

Purezza e Follia

Il Bosco Incantato

Tra l’ombra e la luce

The Cape Byron Lighthouse

Storia e verità

La gioia di amare

E Nel Bosco Sacro L’Alba Al Sole Racconta

Tra amore e velature

Preziosa Solitudine

Romaine 1 - Série figurative aquarelle et or

Guerre - Portrait figuratif inspiré de la guerre

Romaine 2 - Série figurative aquarelle et or

Peony in pink

Summer bouquet

Astronomer

La Provence, senteur lavande !

Leaf #2

Leaf #3

Pêcheur de rêve et son chat 38

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre (1)

Le Ring - Scène de vie figurative sur le thème de l'enfance

Lapin

Moule-prune jaune

Envol des oiseaux

Prunier en pot

Ichimane à la fleur blanche

Séduction en vert

Saphir précieux

Black 89

Black 93

BlacK 50

Black 92

Black 74

Black 91

Immagine 4

Astratto

Immaginario

Immagine 2

To the Bernardine Monastery

A cozy evening in Lviv

By the stream

There is a hut behind the village

Silence

Orange evening

East

A fantastic evening

Travel

Street in Studenoy

Beskydy

6 Aurey

5 Pont Aven 22

3 hotel Bretagne

2 Moulin Pont aven 22

Swan_01

Portrait

1994 Paris Hôtel de l'Abbé Jean Brunet Rue d'Ecosse et de Lanneau COLLECTION MMCA Musée Carnavalet Paris

1996 Paris, rue de Lanneau