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

Ombrihl 4

Ombrihl 2

Ombrihl 7

L'homme Pieuvre

Carnets de voyage 2, Goa

Eclat de joie

Giraffes, Tanzania, Africa

Child with sloth, The Amazon Forest, Brazil

Des oiseaux

Série 'Terres brûlées II'

Série 'Terres brûlées II'

Série 'Terres brûlées II'

Série 'Terres brûlées II'

Série 'Terres brûlées II'

Série 'Terres brûlées II'

Fenêtres 011 - Vue de l'interieur

Fenêtres 08 - Double exposition

Fenêtres 05 - Matin d'automne

Fenêtres 01 - Trompe l'oeil

Rencontres Improbables 029 - Découpe

Rencontres Improbables 020 - Rébus

Rencontres Improbables 016 - Bagarre

Rencontres Improbables 013 - Fin de soirée

Rencontres Improbables 010 - A table !

Rencontres Improbables 07 - La belle au bois dormant

Rencontres Improbables 04 - Mauvaise rencontre

Rencontres Improbables 01 - Le dernier sourire

Down on East River

Flower by open

Flower by close

Forest

La Fenêtre

On the downtown shore

Altitude 02

Femme à l'enfant (Namibie)

Quinta de Regaleira Cintra

Still Life (Vases)

The Glance

Danseuses à Cuba

Opera house seagull

Piscines

Dominoes

Popov 2

Jack Krine

Charlie Brown

Gone

Ballet Practice

Connected Gondolier

Interconnected Gondoliers

Still Life (Flowers)

Dohaya

Arbres - 1839

Corsair 22

Enfance 9

Solitude 2

Phénomènes, Untitled (volcanic eruption #2)

Denpasar International Airport

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao 2

Temple taoiste de Man Mo

Reflet

Ambre

Francisco

Cinematography inspired session #6

Structural Beauty

Act 9 | Hello? We need a doctor

Untitled (bubble)