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

Country Bread

Rencontre dans le jardin

Jeux intenses (2)

Venus

Magic Warhol

Lecture

Flamenco

Champs de blé au pied du Salève

El regalo de la persistencia

My Stomach

Untitled

La Colombe

Noraezean X

The Cat

Hemerocallis

Architecture of Nature I

Partition N°101

Edition sur papier Oksana 7302019625190007E N°12/50

Rojo y azul celeste

Four Person in One

Man with a bow

Amerigo

L'iris double

Cambodge, Prey Nup, Bantei Prey, jeune fille

Pour que tu m’aimes encore

La belle endormie

Caballero das dúas Caras

Poèmes

Planète Bleue 1971 Blue Planet

Close to nothing (Pink)

LSDreams 01

Vase avec Decoration Pastel (Ramie 190)

Pink Horse

Dedicated to Botticelli 4

Tina Turner, Paris

Watch II

Whimsical Cat Surrealist Artwork

Dragon fruit and green marbles swirl composition n°4

Port

To Dye or Not To Die. Drawings From the covid diaries series

Aperatine Blue Alpine

Rising

Song for Autumn

Heads - Ian (Cutout Sculpture)

Samuraï en sacai

Paisaje Volcánico

Untitled

Orchidée verte

Beingislove / 313

Fresh Prince

Sans titre

Automne à Paris Série La Ville

Yea

Christmas

Composition

Le chêne à trois troncs n°22

Verteuil sur Charente Tanning Mill impressionism

Get Out Spiderman skeleton

Listen to the Wind

Le Rotatostroï du Barine Michaël

Cosi Fan Tutte Fleurdelise

Travelers

The Girl's Own Paper, 1885

Venus

Raven's Pueblo

5 pm