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

Convergences

Balance

Pink arch

En sommardag

Feel the glow

Tulip Fields Netherlands #05

Cascade et tumulte, les Gorges du Loup

Détente bord de mer

Ballet floral

Intermezzo 3.

In the park of Barcelona

Funny landscape

Composition 15

France raffinerie

Provence numéro 7

Le sentier côtier

Toi et moi

4Seasons Autumn

Hanami 3

Paradise van

Flowers Painting African Tree Pohutukawa

Pêcheur II

Tropical Landscape

Love in the Time of Forest Fires

Frozen in Time

The Giant

Nebulous

Hush of Winter

Pond with pink lilies

Déjà vu

Chocolate Factory & Crazy Sunset

Sans titre

Vast IV

Romantic plants 1

Sans titre - série paysage et végétal

Promenade dans la forêt

Central Park View II

Autour du fleuve

Matinée à Rome I

Untitled

Closer to the Sun

Whisper of the Moonlit Forest

Port de Rouen

Le Port de Villefranche sur mer

Sans-titre

A Moment Of Rest

Stroll in the Jungle

Blasket Sound

Lefkara Village

Landscape

Only the Strong Survive

Bill T. Jones

Pastoral

Neorupestres

La barque de SA'AM

Sunset Over The Meadow

After the Rain I

L'arrivée à Bandol

Almond Terrace

Ville déserte près de la centrale les oiseaux déserte

Sans titre 6

Pêche en printemps

Memoirs of loss VI

Graphite

Fleur 9

Origine-21B