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

Sans titre

Landschaft

Héraclès (portrait)

Sans titre

Coquelicot

Transat 2/2

Chrysler building

La luna llora y hace un océano de vida

Variation #11 (série méditation)

Diary 04

Series of Daily Life Painting

Zoème, déesse des oiseaux

Mia Malkova portrait

The man next door I

Sans titre - Encyclopédie Vagabonde

Nostalgia

Sky and Shadows II

Mechanical Body In Colors

Nude of Woman

Femme nu

Lucienne

Moon & Caught

Barocco Erotico II

De genolls 1

MV. 24-7 - Série Croquis Modèle Vivant

Aunque usted no lo crea

Venus Violet

3 Marionettistes

Numbness

The Dancer

Erotic Scene

Nu

Nu Asis

Potser sí

Nude of Woman

È vero: chi vive di pura immaginazione, prima o poi impazzisce

Liberation

Nu féminin

Sans titre

Landscape sketch 87

L i n e s - Blue note

Landscape 137

Landscape 136

Série Landscape Sketch - 53

Jeux amoureux (Etude)

Tropical light (Etude)

Kaki 2

Héron

Landscapes 153

Landscapes 152

Landscape 92

Landscape 91

Landscape 90

Landscape 90

Landscape sketch 86

Landscape sketch 85

Landscape sketch 58

Landscape sketch 52

Landscape sketch 50

Fleur 19

Fleur 18

Fleur 17

Landscape 414

Paysage 418

Fleur 11

Estanbul