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

Arlequin bleu

Biginning

Amis Mensch Friends

Aquarelles graphiques 3

London

Generaciones

House & gate

Boxing Kangoo

Ours marchant

Aftermath 5

Little Sun

La jeune fille de Delft à la grenade

Travels in Nihila

Sans titre

Untitled #10

Morning Yerevan

Blue abstract

To meet the nightflower

The Alphabet, Letter "C"

L'Espace

L'Emozione

Star (Orange)

Running Horse Cheval au galop

Sirène

Owl

Cubanisto

Woman's Right

Manufactura 3

Luke McAlister

Secret Invasion

Twickenham Streaker

Amazing Spiderman

Amy Winehouse

Love

Chartres dans les colzas

Little Gulliver

Gracias a Matta

Love is (not) a fight

Coq

Uncanny X-Force

L'Abeille - The Bee

Bords de mer

Lempicka

Pin-up à la cigarette

Primorsko

Send Noods

Wolverine

The pink Bauhaus skull

Eléphantasme organique

Study 6

Collage construit

Post Mortem VI

Puzzle park

Gallinacean III

Love Meeples

Untitled

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

Plan métro "City of Graffitty"

Variation #11 (série méditation)

Sourire au clair d'un sourire

Villa Adriana III

Untitled (Temple)

Couple Embrace

Sans titre

Leaving The World Behind

Livre après livre