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

Tropical Landscape

Au-delà

Wild Flowers (Edition Vieillie)

Imprint of Memory

Something about childhood 4

Peace Fingers (Gold)

Hip Hop 50 (Handfinished)

Sans-titre

How do you see

Purple Touch

Smith's shop

Leader - Halo

Ornament & Misfit

Stone Roses Handfinished

Star Wars Imperial 400%

Sans titre

Untitled

Tropical

Je veux faire un livre tout de suite

Hongkong mood light

Self portrait with between clock and bed

The bees' dance 2

Le Cygne noir

Super Hero

Invader - Rubik Enki Bilal

Sans titre (no comment)

Notre Mer

Toto 3D

Beach day

Visage de femme

Tigre, le 3 ème

Le Baiser 1

For Your Eyes Only 19

Pur Malt

In the park of Barcelona

Tropiques, Fleurs blanches

XXIV 05 015

Midnight blooms

Bis

Sin título

Totem Jamaïque

Affirmez vos rêves

Dualité II

Love in the Time of Forest Fires

Fontaine

Une aprèm au musée

Chameleon

Essences rouges

Composition

Cosi Celeste

Untitled (Id. 1276)

Petit ours tagué patineur

L'Arsenal

China Asters

A Colorful Pond

Gants de boxe (Red-heart red-violet)

Oil based Monoprint 17

NotWithstanding

Nous ne sommes pas les derniers

The arms of the little Cupid

Stoulgram

Fragile

Ensemble

Untitled

Marchand des Couleurs

Diamant déformé #1