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

Two Figures

Chez Alfredo

Women Walking

Sleepy

1968 Bouddhas

The Cat

Soviet

Crouched Lioness and Rabbits

Le Baiser

Mick

Big Horns

Couple au bouquet

Le métro mé PAS tro

Poème #1 | L'Albatros

Seaflower

Monochrom N92

Torn

Au delà du chaos no 2

Sept Chevaux

Personnages

Convoy

Deagan

Chemin entre les mazots et vue sur le Cervin

Abstraction

Envol V

Bouquet et livre

The Bridge

Skyline

Trinité blue bubbles - Série Trinité - Portrait Pop art cubisme

Sans Titre

Venecia

Leaping Panther

Baile de noche africana

S.t

Jeu d'écriture (rouge) - 1 | Writing game (red) - 1

Sans titre (Un poème dans chaque livre Paul Eluard) Ref BDNW2903

Crab Felipe II ( Multiverse )

Le Coup de Canon

Net

Glaucus

Neige sua Paris - Snow on Paris

1964 Lettrisme Orange Lettrism

Tête de Mickey sur Mona Lisa

Saint Tropez

Lovers

Borough Station 1

Rusty Cage

Village 04

Brique de gomme - Mur de l'effacement

Still life with pears

Sabi noir

Poupées

A Midsummer Night's Dream

L'écuyère 1/8

Infinite randomness V, IV

The Catfish Cowboy

Footnote V

The guitar player

Hôtel joyeux, Amboise

I'm fine

Petit sentier en forêt

Go to your goal

CBS-16

Paysage I

Puerto de Barcelona

Lilac

Element

Imagined destinations, Road sign ( Panneau indicateur )