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

La pointe du Gaou - Cyanotype T2

Abstract -VIII

Ex Boyfriends 9

Ex Boyfriends 8

Les eaux montent

Les eaux montents

Polarités

Graffiti Evolution 5

The Scarecrow Painter

Abstraction

Structure de l'A D N

Solaris 2

Irises dreams in bloom

Les Moais

Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Kremenets

1964 Rouge gris LETTRISME Red Grey

1964 Ocher LETTRISME Ocre

Untitled 15 and Untitled 16. From the Mexican Ryoan-ji Series

Frozen Desires

On a l'impression de voler

Collines dorées

Merveilleux voyage

Joyeux

Juste avant de partir

My neighbor Cat

Untitled & Untitled 13 Diptych. From Mexican Ry?an-ji Series

The mystery of the green apple

Recline (Aquarelle 1 - Composition - 27 septembre 2014)

Happy day

Corail

The First Snow Fell

Canne de Provence

Bold and Beautiful

1979 Red Abstraction Rouge

1977 Green Abstraction verte

Isaac

15 ans après

Dans les chaussons de Berhard Österman

Vert Deux Gris

Introspection

Alone in the blue

Au bout du Cap Coz

Lumière matinale au Cap Coz

Plage du Cap Coz

Plage du Cap Coz

Avenue du Cap Coz

Scarlet Whirl

David Bowie news

Freddie Mercury news

The Poppy's Dance

Volcán La Palma

Crazy pop (trib. to Haring)

Red dog (trib. to Haring)

Happy love (trib. to Haring)

Bouvier bichrome

Duo

Rebellious Mickey x StreetArt

Donald Duck hates PopArt x StreetArt

Snoopy and Charlie Brown X StreetArt

Daisy & Donald love StreetArt

Campbell's StreetArt Soup

Donald Duck hates PopArt x StreetArt

Snoopy and Charlie Brown love StreetArt

Daisy & Donald love StreetArt

Pink Panther x StreetArt

Murakami x Balloon Girl x StreetArt