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

La magrana 1

Ragolles et béruchet

Geometric structures

Bird chante

N°195

Flexo Walking Around pièce unique acier rouille

Cayetana

The plum blossom

Landscape sketch 20

Landscape sketch 19

Landscape sketch 7

Landscape sketch 6

Bird 13

Bird 12

Bird 11

Bird 9

Bird 8

Bird 7

Bird qui fait la sièste

Bird qui regarde

Bird qui sourit II

Bird qui attend

Bird sourit

Landscape sketch 29

Lotus

Flexo Come On

Saut

Be cool 3 pièce unique style industriel

Come on unique style industriel

Sans titre 8

Untitled

Agam

Seul au monde

La folie du jour 2, Maurice Blanchot

Sophie la Giraphe

Paysage du midi

Sur La Plage

Untitled

To Apollo

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Untitled 3

Di Rosa Magazine

Sans titre (la femme qui marche)

Untitled 129

Ombre et lumière #4

Untitled 1

L'apiculteur et les Indiens

Sans titre 4

Terre de lumière

Aube

L’étrange Noël de Monsieur Jack, Jack et Sally

Puro... alegria

Lewis Carroll's Wunderhorn 17

Sans titre

Lewis Carroll's Wunderhorn 30

Lewis Carroll's Wunderhorn 28

Lewis Carroll's Wunderhorn 18

Lewis Carroll's Wunderhorn 19

Lewis Carroll's Wunderhorn 36

Aquarium

Etudes de la Grange

Oiseau

Paysage Avec Une Clôture

Wasserläufer IV

Color gardening VI

La Messagère