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

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Chemin

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

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Ombre et lumière #5

Ombre et lumière II

ciel serie 2 III

Ciel serie 2 II

Ciel serie 2 I

El Barbudo

El Principe

En route 1

Groupe

Autoroute

Forêt

Nature morte II

Ciel 2

En route

Mairie

Eolienne II

Homes

Ciel 11

Ciel 10

Ciel 9

Ciel 8

Ciel 6

Untitled #5

Rivière

Las Memorias

Les vignes de Montmartre

Zirkulationszeit: Kopf H.B.

Monopoly

Fellaz on Frenchmen

Havana café

Estrats 1

Corazon y alma

Sans titre

Studio per fantasia per violino

White Spirit IV

Schwurhand: Zelt und Lichtstrahl

1970 Abstraction MOON SHIN MMCA Museum Modern Contemporary Art Seoul

The southern gentleman

1992 Elle Ses hanches Her hips

In the Green Realm

Tomato splat

Para que los cocodrilos duerman en largas filas

Black Sculpture 1978 MMCA MUSEUM SEOUL Collection

2 Black Sculptures 1977 MOON SHIN MMCA MUSEUM Collection

Paris Black Duo Sculpture 1974 MMCA MUSEUM SEOUL Collection

WAR Sculpture 1979 GUERRE MMCA MUSEUM SEOUL Collection

Aquarelle graphique 1

Aquarelle graphique 5

JPS style

PJ4

Estiu 1

La dama de la plaza

Les patineuses

Gacko Bear Batman Pop Art

Gacko Bear Love pop art

Gacko Bear Love pop art

Paysage d'hiver

La celebracion