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

Letters to Spain / Cartas a España 6

Suspendu

Frozen in Time

Bright Blue

Beretta in Crayons(5)

Blue II

Rencontre

Non title

Abstract Composition

Émergence lumineuse

Composition

Thracian tulip (Tulipa thracica)

Piccolo Arcobaleno

Calanque de Sugiton

Coltelli

Sans titre (3)

Fisure

Women Talks

Sans titre

Verte

Liminal Icon (Monument I)

Southern California Wall Map

Lil Heroes #3493 (Unique with drawing)

Lumière Volée 2

Rêve de scène II

Untitled

Portrait #1

Le liquide rose

Dance

Tangerines

Taureau 5

Warrior Bride

Untitled 65

Fruitful (Small)

Forme Molle

Sans titre

Running

Free Jump

P13.2024

Rabbit, Trasure-Trove

Untitled

Aurum 6

Still Cool

Chapeau 18

Spring sunset 11

Trichrome_fluo_02

Duo

Your thought in you, suffices you

Hush of Winter

Portrait #2. From the Portraits series

Pond with pink lilies

Daydream

Yayoi

XX146150

E=M love au carré - 2

Stabat mater black & grey XI

Vogue

Snake II

Déjà vu

Portrait de classe 14

Drab days and Coloured Minds #1

Geotropisme 19

The Europeen Handfinished

Atlantic Roses

Masque abandonné

Cut-Up Paper I.15