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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Categories

Subcategories

Small

Snowstorm

Silent Heights in Mist

La lune et les fleurs

Agave contre un mur

Petite maison

Profanities IV | Qualities craved

Innocence in the Fields

Spring forest no.2

Le monde autrement

La fermette

Les ceps d'azur

Horizons tranquilles

The Winter Backwater

Dragon tail

Paysage du Levant

Touch Of Sunlight

The Summer Evening

Summer Sunlight

Evening Clouds

Fileds

Via Appia

Etang

Ozhiko

Nymphéas X1

Life

Cycle

Untitled

Storm is Coming

Sketch in Field

Indian song

On the Seashore

On a walk

L'intimité des pins parasols

Oxford

Pink Pines - Loving trees N°5 Part 2

Pink Pines - Loving trees N°5 Part 3

Pink Pines - Loving trees N°5 Part 1

Seascape

Traunsee, Gmunden, Austria

Ladscape, Austria

Road in the field, spring landscape

View of the lake, Austria

City Wiener Neustadt, Austria

Follow the path of the sun

Crepuscule (1)

Plage du Cap Coz

Crépuscule au Cap Coz

Les bottes de foin de Moelan-sur-Mer

L'église de Locmaria

Le Sémaphore de l'Aber Wrac'h

Les Ajoncs de Rospico

Chants d'automone

The frosty freshness

Tide No. 24

West No. 3

In the pasture

Nantai

Spark

Springtime 55

Le bassin d’Arcachon. Original painting

White Dog in Schönbrunn

Garden of dream

Sunset in Paris

La maison cachée

Coquelicots en cascade

La Solitude