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

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Oceano

Scie-lames

One of Ginkgo III

Bonheur Éphémère

The Moment

Bound By Time 1

Machines et outillages

Buffle noir

#Paysage sauvage #2

Géraniums rouges

Memories 11

L’herbe des Corbières

Illibatezza

Untitled

Untitled

Padre

12 - Red

Estudio para astrofisico

La sénégalaise

Floral Note

Amour 5

Trunklestiltskins out and about

Against all odds

Exodus #6

Figure

Sans titre 1

Moiré Indigo (Abstract painting)

Untitled 11

Woods

Sans titre

Portrait d'homme

Girl with a Cat

The Embrace

Untitled 1

La procession des guerriers

Etat de corps

Comedian Tribute to Maurizio Cattelan

Harmony in Color

Masques dansants d'Ensor

Léviathan

Untitled (red-white)

Diego Rivera

Set of 4 Eggshell Vases

Uiara

Sugar free III

AbstraKoeur Cosmos Peace

Beach break

jerrican Donald Duck

Pertinance

La Drôme

Helios II

Utopia serves us to walk

La petite Sainte Coquette

Sans titre

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Poisson plume

Geoide #3. From The Geoide Series

Végetaniamals 15

Buisson floral

“Ma” Joie : Brouillard à Kameoka

Atoll Turquoise

Judith Malina at La Mama Theatre

Summerfield joy

Paris, Déambulation 3

Violon rouge