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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Nanas

Outside their box, out of the lines

Muse 11-24

The Night We Hung the Moon

Shower Scene

Pavarti Frene

Fortune Cookies

Follow The Recipe (For Once)

Bienvenu, what can I do for you?

Emergency night room or La Cour des Miracles

Knitting season

Fig AA1

Petite Stella

Waiting for the third

Pavarti Sublime

Prelude to purity

Femme avec rideau rouge

Danseuses

Jeune femme pensive

La promesse

Venus de Milo bleue

Up! Sandy effect

Je te tiens

Dancing Iris

Village du Sud

Le rat et l'éléphant

Lumière

Rousse aux yeux clairs

The Stronger of the Two

Paysage chinois 11

Paysage chinois

Subway

Gale Grace

A Dance of Resilience

The Bear Wants you to Stop Fighting

He Can Fly Someday

Le Panthéon

Piano

A vif

Le regard dans le vide

Unicorn II/VII

Intérieur parisien Haussmanien

La vie est belle

Ray of Hope

Rivage de pêcheurs

Vanishing Words

Floating Serves

Nu abstrait N°23 - Monstera palace Pièce N°6

Portrait aux rayures

Every day is a gift

Ma tete de Mort

Bouteille champagne 29-22

Gatt

Venice coast

Le Vitrail

Bloom. Etude

L'éléphant

Captain America

King

Alessandro Michele

Fleur 21

Lotus 9

Valentino Fall

Marc Jacobs blue, Portrait

Elegante en robe jaune

Petits polissons