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

Manufactura 3

Luke McAlister

Secret Invasion

Twickenham Streaker

Cocci-révolution bleue

Amazing Spiderman

Roitelet couronné

Chartres dans les colzas

Little Gulliver

Sirène

Uncanny X-Force

L'Abeille - The Bee

Primorsko

Don't Get It Twisted

Pin-up à la cigarette

Wolverine

Eléphantasme organique

Mini Chorus 1

Jimi Hendrix (Dedicated)

Les Chevaliers du Ciel. Hélicoptères

Study 6

Collage construit

Post Mortem VI

Roi soleil

Gallinacean III

Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground, NY 1966 (With John Cale, Gérard Malanga, Nico)

Poire

Le pénitent

Untitled

Plan métro "City of Graffitty"

Sourire au clair d'un sourire

Villa Adriana III

Untitled (Temple)

Sans titre

Amitié

Masque Cubiste Grand

Harmonie de Samothrace Grand

Essence de jeunesse

Guitariste Arlequin Grand

La main du Père

La Famille

Dialogue

Petite enfant air et métal

De la série ”A travers…20"

D'où sentez vous la même chose ?

Symphonie verticale

Hombre de la Luna

Polar bear silver

La magrana 3

La magrana 4

La magrana 2

Huir por las esquinas y encerrarse en los

Asesinado por el cielo, entre las formas que van

A la izquierda, a la derecha, por el sur y por el norte

A tu violencia granate, sordomudos en la penumbra

Con una cuchara de palo

Ensayo

Le sentier côtier

Autoportrait II

El Dandy

La Confianza

Deux bleus sur noir

Théorèmes #1

Schwurhand: Wandernde Kiste #3

Zirkulationszeit: Meerengel Robbe II

Cloned Griffon Bruxellois With Pet Bottle