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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From the series Infinite Flight 19 - monochrome gray, silber, white, black minimalism abstraction, expressionism dropping inspired by Jackson Pollock

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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Composition 118

The first white snow

Le petit voilier blanc et or... (Esprit voile)

Warmis

Finding the answers

Hasards système et téléphone

Peinture abstraite 01-2025-10

Music

Winter white mountain landscape

Permeable Existence No.7

Year by Year

Dignity

Poignant No. 2

Brisure 3

Untitled Curves 2

Cosmic Inquiry No.1

Abstract-3127

3 carrés

Alkes

Traversée 2 (Bas Relief)

Instinct

From the series The A Lightness 3 - minimalism monochromatic abstractions

From the series Infinite Flight 19 - monochrome gray, silber, white, black minimalism abstraction, expressionism dropping inspired by Jackson Pollock

Nature's blue gem. 2

Nature's blue gem. 1

Silhouettes - petit couple

Pelican Jade - Pélican Jade

Sérénité 3

Visual Dance - White and Silver

From the Series Blue Lagoon Ocean 2482023

From the Series Blue Lagoon Ocean 2492023

From the Series Blue Lagoon Ocean 2092023

Fleeting traces

Passage 5

Fantaisie 11 - Série abstraction poétique

Fantaisie 12 - Série abstraction poétique

Darren Sunday

Cycles IV

Dreams-III

Dreams-II

Dreams-I

Immaterial Roots

Équilibre illusoire 53

Tension 26

Un vent de liberté… II

Une heure de tranquillité… II

Exclos 266

Cuerpos Magnéticos #17. Wall sculpture

Cuerpos Magnéticos #9 Parte A. Wall sculpture

Cuerpos Magnéticos #6. Wall sculpture

Scara

Gray series

Schwurhand: Wandernde Kiste #2

Two Landscapes 76

Two Landscapes 124

Two Landscapes 131

Two Landscapes 155

Diptych Verdelit 2

Diptych Veredite

Malachte 2

Ragisména series AL1

Ballerina no. 21, Series XXV

Ballerina no. 20, Series XXV

Winter forest

Snowy mountain in winter

Blue hour