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

Tränen: Schamanentrommel

De la série ”A travers…15"

Ethereal Dawn II

Zirkulationszeit: Meerengel Robbe I

De la série ”A travers…10”

De la série ”A travers…9”

J'ai tant souffert

De la série ”A travers…19"

De la série ”A travers…18"

De la série ”A travers…17"

De la série ”A travers…14"

De la série ”A travers…8”

Danse

L'escalier

One Dollar Blue

Esperanza

El campesino

La vieja guajira

La sonrisa

Révolutionnaire

Les pinceaux

MP 333 - Ciseaux

Tränen: Hirschfuß

Schwurhand: Wandernde Kiste #5

Schwurhand: Wandernde Kiste #2

Schwurhand: Skulptur aus Gold

Schwurhand: Wandernde Kiste #1

Schwurhand: Mit Fett gefüllte Skulptur

Schwurhand: Lumen

El beso

Deux arbres

En route

L'écureuil de Mongolie

Luminescence Gravure et Gaufrage 1987 Poésie Poetry

Los mulatos estiraban gomas ansiosos

Jamas sierpe ni cebra ni mula palidecieron

Ombre et lumière I

Ciel serie 2 V

Sans titre 2

1985 Oiseau Bird Saint John Perse

Cloned Griffon Bruxellois with pet bottle

One Dollar Miami Sky

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Autoportrait

H22

H24

H28

Puro... alegria

Paradis Perdu

Sans titre II

Ombre et lumière III

Cheminées

En route 3

Old time

The Old Firm

Racines d'être

Paysage intérieur

Corpuscule

Fragmentation

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Chemin

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen