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

Railway mound

Summer rest

On the pasture

Como Lake Italy

I Sogni Della Terra

Acqua e Cuore

Prieres aux lunes

Cherry blossom green

Les Grenouilles qui Demandent un Roi

Giraffes

Landscape blue red

Blue sunset with a pink cloud

Night landscape

Bravo, super, dobre!

Valley

House and Barn, 1954/2008

Chronologie d'un paysage

A Love Story

Paravento giapponese

Winter Lights Tango

Paysage

Magic charts

Paysage onirique

Round Ocean #86

Mélodie Céleste II (ciel, nuages, orage)

Sunset No. 12

Sunset No. 15

Sunset No. 17

Sunset No. 21

Sunset No. 24

Sunset No. 28

Sunny Day Fountain

Flower Garden

Big Tree

Always Happy

I Love You!

Look at Me!

With You!

Fountain

Tidal moon 2

Forest and Sea

Field of color - west

Renaissance Two

Quantum World

Moments of Happiness

I Will Live, Existence series

Depth of nature

Freedom of a soul

Our First Polo

Sheridan Greens

Spacewalk XIV.

Colorado No. 33

Appalachians No. 2

After Rain

The Falls

Spirit of Forest 1236

Virginia Woods No. 2

I viaggi di Gulliver

I viaggi di Gulliver

Intermezzo 8.

Prick the sky with the needles of an autumn tree

Rest

Carpathian Courtyard

Ochakov opposite

Icing 01

Icing 03