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

Summer impressions . Azalea

Lilies on white "A la prima"

Waiting to exhale

Philippe Zdar (purple)

Vision de guerre ! Avec destruction de la maison mère ! Avec avion pour destruction de Vies sur terre ! EA

A travers le rosier

Caleidoscopio

Nightsea

From the mudflats

Dirk goes swimming

The Magic Hidden In The Portraits

Untitled 192

Untitled 169

Serait-Ce Vous ?

Jane

Blaubird

Untitled 4

Dreaming Muse #2

Inconnu au pull vert

By the Bodhi Tree

Gold of Lanka

I Am: Emi Ni

You Broke My Heart

Cloudy Day

Georgian Instruments

Her Self Made 2

Her Self Made 1

Golden Hand Mask Sculpture

Perfect Stranger (The One Time Encounter)

Waiting to Exhale

Mountains at Sunset

C'est la pipe de Julio

Portrait 02

Portrait 05

Portrait 07

Innocence in the Fields

Wilted peonies

On duty

La romancière et ses chats

Plaque autportrait

Arlequine aux yeux bleus

Happy Game VI

Happy Game IV

Cha'tourbillonne

The wait

Reconciliation

Happy Memories of You and Me

Forever You and I

Whispers of Love

A Kiss Goodnight

A Walk with You

Jouet Car Hermès

Robert Hebert Percy. From the Art, culture & society series

Gustav 2

La Dame au chapeau 1

Carrie Bradshaw in the kitchen with a hat

Melba

Maliha

L'Ourse et son Ourson

Weathered Bronze Pup

Seascape

Bengal tiger. strength and power.

White eagle. A keen eye.

The snake's gaze. Hypnosis

Untitled 134

"By bike" - (based on Lyubov Popova)