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

China

Enlightenment

Gaïa

Pour le meilleur..., Dar Es Salaam, Tanzanie

La patiente coiffeuse, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzanie

La sieste sous idoles, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzanie

Le filet de Sisyphe, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzanie

Attente, gloire et beauté, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzanie

La bouilleuse de cru, Nyandira, Tanzanie

The Road to Kazbegi

Cliff Richard

Abus

Goat

Silence

Silence

Chaos

Chateau Fort

Flux

Shiva

Untitled

CN Tower (North Side) Toronto

Catch me

Les pieds dans l'eau

La promenade

Fraîche

Carolyn Carlson 10

Carolyn Carlson 7 (Dans writings in the wall )

Selva Oscura Macizo Colombiano, Silver Gelatin Print

Au chic parisien - Coffret prestige # 8

Salk Institute

The back of beyond

Sakura Fuyu

Dripping

Le passage

Le coq

Poisson

Si nu stim totul

Birds #11

Birds #9

Birds #8

Birds #2

Self Portrait 1964

Under the Bridge

The Water Carrier

Les mains

Main das la main

Kandahar

Vibration

The Journey II

Leaf Veins VII

Leaf Veins II

Trégarvan - M

Trégarvan - S

Fermée pour travaux - Size M

Défense - Size M

Deux chevaux - Size M

Les sandales - série Une Vie de Moine

Les sandales 2 - série Une Vie de Moine

Le barbu - série Une Vie de Moine

Le sucre, Père Jean-Joseph - série Une Vie de Moine

La valse du réfectoire - série Une Vie de Moine

L'évier - série Une Vie de Moine

L'Escalier - série Une Vie de Moine

Tonsure, la valse - série Une Vie de Moine

Tonsure, humilité

Père Pio-Marie