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

L'éternelle fragilité

Untitled (DesignerCon Sketch)

Legende de la mer

Puzzle park

Banana The New Gold (Print)

Tam Tam Graffiti - street art

BRUSKement. Zen

E.T. Phone Home

Audith Rhodes

Those 15 minutes

Chase The Devil

Quéisme (Gold and white)

Drawing

Chomp

Lulu28

Love Meeples

Untitled

Vive les fleurs multicolores

Doll'art

Custom vas et vive les fleurs

Syr vert flop

Journée au musée en 2052

CaliSamo

Sans Titre

Sadness screen - pink

Tinta

I met Bowie

5G Upgrade

Untitled

Floating Through Life

Bam

Living well

Heater

Sans titre

Adidt (3 Mods)

Glam Box

No Future

Minne Mouse x Murakami

Double V

Drisme-5

Make peace not war

HPC

Punky Skull Onesiker Black Storm

Le baiser du capitalisme

Skeme and Lava - N.Y.C Legends

Backed Apple Pie

Chair Jazz

Le Polisson

L'affranchie

Rise Up

Savoring Sun

Digigraphie High School Lovers

Lola

Margay (Réhaussée)

Stormtroopers colors

Mickey Peace

Panoramix

Born Savage

Artichoke

Le sens de l'espace

L'arbre vert

Love tribute Mondrian

Poetry In Motion (with painted box)

Baby Yoda

Vert d'espoir

Yellow Mr. A