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

Bouquet d'anémones

Bouquet de soucis

Été

A little pleasure

Anemone No. 10

Lily

Iris No. 206

Iris No. 202

Iris No. 203

Iris No. 204

Iris No. 205

Hellebore No. 38

Paulina et les renoncules

Trois Roses

Autumn Herbs 2

Autumn Herbs 1

Shadow Study No. 10

In stillness, in solitude, i count 13

Flora

Vase "She Loves Me"

Plum Study

Iris no. 113

Sleeping boy

Dream

Warped Tulip

Feel No. 4

Permeate

Golden Still Life

First date."Moments" series

Balanced Arrangement

Floral delicacy

Entangled Wildflowers

Landscape

Flowers W

Blue cornflowers and orange trees

Light in the wood

To the sky

Being is love / 460

Red peony

Cyclamens

Porcelain

Blossom #05-3119

Blossom #03-3123

Blossom #04-3118

BLOSSOM #06-3110

Flowering branches in a white mug

Hyacinths

Light

Long Marathon

Nasturtiums

White peonies

Sakura

Chinese vase

Anemones

WaBasAtt

Un air de printemps

Baroque Leaves (Colour)

Xiao hua 5

Xiao hua III

Xiao hua I

White Water Lilies on the Pond

Flowers 11

Flowers 10

Colors in Bloom

Iris Flower Field

Japanese Red Maple Tree