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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Subcategories

Small

Fille avec ballon

Les espaces de Penseur de Rodin

Traffic Yellow Mix

L'esprit Déchaîné

Untitled 5

Sweet thing

Landscape sketch 84

El Hadj Seck, jaune

König

Hope Of Deliverance (Blue)

WYS may be not WYG 1.1

Lamorna to Rock

Paesaggio poetico XXIV

Régate

Painter Can

Édition Toujours Marilyn 50 RED

Sun Day

Abstract collection

Taste of snow

Parallel Universe/3

Fantaisie Romantique

Degas Danseur de Ballet

Licorne

Balance

Convergences

Geometrical shapes III

Naissance 1

Fields 9.9

Maiko in Springtime Kyoto

Untitled 2

Development

Sans-titre

Composition 301

Trapped

Paris verte

Figue

Lead with the Heart

Find an Hotel Tree 2

Près des murs

Ma femme est une fête, 17

Pink arch

Sans titre

Shit

Welcome to the colorful side

Mère et enfant

La Cage et la trace du crayon

Still life with glass

Arc II No.7

Tired face (Black Edition)

Sans titre (9)

Abstract Expression

En sommardag

55.6559834, 27.1339613

Music Reflections

Tulip Fields Netherlands #05

Extrait Peace N°02

Asahi PM (LC24)

Black galaxy

El amor

Aquarelle

Calligraphie Violette 71-19

L'éveil

More Cats For Everyone

Lory

Indiana Jones

Le seigneur de la savane