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

Keni

Aiguille du plan, Dent de Requin à Chamonix n°1

Ventre de Paris

Sans interdits

Joyful Moment 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Children

Blue Tiger

Trio de la reine

Astatic (Danilowitz 116)

La lettre

Mer de nuages - Paysage celeste

Field Notes Series

Immortelle 2

Doggy John

Sans titre

Pin up girl and jack pot 03

Prisme Bleuté

Artists Vantage Point

Café des Cascades Paris

Untitled

Without title

Abstract in black

The Journey 001

Moon Light

Abstrait N° 475

Cycle - série couleurs outre-mer

Soy feliz...Si nada te quita el sueño

Oups

Untitled

Composition

Coquelicots N°2 violet

Intérieur

N°I-9321-Blue ellipse

Composition

Roses bleues

Met"cali"ca

Going home

Tina Turner, Paris

Venezia

Soul Depths

Teddy (Nounours)

Brentford at Sundown

Corset, Portrait of an Equestrienne

Printemps 4

My gifts make room for us

Shiko 11

L'eau est froide

Time and Consequence The Immortal Lovers

Sans titre

Sans titre

Bloooom 3

1952 Animaux surréalistes Fantastic Surrealistic World

Du fond d'un pays de silence

Chevaux au soleil couchant

Njinga

Innertube Vision 3

Geisha

Cataclysme

La mélodie des oiseaux qui passent

RamZ #1

The cathedral II

Continuum II

Nature's Wide and Common Sky

Icing 02

Paysage abstrait I

Abstract

School Desk

Gravité 4

Subtractive variability manipulable IV