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

Oracles et spectacles 5

Oracles et spectacles 4

My French Bulldog likes Campbell's soup

Naissance

Matière

Nucléaire

Deux arbres

Éclat bleu fragmenté

En route

Los mulatos estiraban gomas ansiosos

Enterrement du Mexique

Jamas sierpe ni cebra ni mula palidecieron

Kafka

L'heure bleue 040817

Steve McQueen. La grande évasion. L'attente

Steve McQueen. War Lover. Détente

Chinese Star

Chinese Star

The Black Tavern

Untitled 166

Untitled 163

Untitled 160

Divine

Untitled 192

Untitled 169

Untitled 4

Fiddlemania III

Aussi loin que les nuages

Au premier regard

Crépuscule au Cap Coz

Les bottes de foin de Moelan-sur-Mer

Hent Ar Len

L'église de Locmaria

Le Sémaphore de l'Aber Wrac'h

Les Ajoncs de Rospico

Chemin de Kerascoet

USA 76 - Statue de la liberté

Untitled 158

Untitled 155

Untitled 134

Cloned Griffon Bruxellois with pet bottle

Beauty of nature

Emotions that surround you

Fiddlemania II

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Autoportrait

Fiddlemania I

Le Petit Cochon

Composition sans titre

Nageur

Puro... alegria

Espaces ouverts

Ombre et lumière III

Cheminées

ciel serie 2 IIII

En route 3

Old time

The Old Firm

Trophée

Morning

L'heure bleue 030817

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Chemin

Mémoire de JingDeZhen

Mémoire de JingDeZhen