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

Crépuscule

Poppies No. 3

Canne de Provence

Pond with water lilies

Untitled

Pond with water lilies

Days Eye

Poppies

Japanese Ikebana

Monarch

Harvest

French greetings

Oh la la

Rocknrollartishow

L'Arbre des Sages

Midnight Meeting

Summer Meadow

Summer Pinks

Transplantation 3

Lilium

Sonneblumen

Forms l

Enjoying the roses

Away From The Crowd

Still Life (Flowers)

Dans L'oeil du futur

Vast VII

Three Elements

L’Ancienne Messe

Abstract Flock

The fire and the infinity #1 (from the "The fire and the infinity" series)

Les Tournesols

"Red flowers" - series Mallows

Pink flowers

Bougainvillea Steps

The earth is round

Mon jardin d'Eden édition d'art

Porcelain

What the rose tell me

French School Still life Flowers Starwars - Pink Strikes back

Flowering branches in a white mug

French School - Poppy Starwars - Flower

Don't go to the Garden of Flowers

Coquelicots N°8 rouges

Swallow No. 40

PJ4

PJ3

Hojas 4

Hojas 2

Sola 13 (1)

Sola 3

Innocent Vanity Fair

Lilies No. 4

It Looks Like Love

Orchidée

Salon IlI

Salon

Salon Il

Feuertrunken

Wisteria

Endless Summer

Temporary Shelter

Flowers by Dom

A Girl Born In Spring

Interlude No. 3

Iris No. 69