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

Darkness 1

Ma belle et moi

Gently transformation

Breathe

The Minority

RESTEZ CHEZ VOUS

Political Demagogy III

24-Circus

Untitled (44)

Two figures

86

Douceur d'Enfance

Péché Mignon

Babolex Snoop Dogg

Dialogue-2

Gourmet

Sans titre

Scoop 1

The Ladder of Jacob

Once Given a White Rose 2

Hold Up

Brave new world

Volcan

Ventre de Paris

Sans-Titre

La procession des guerriers

Moon Girl

The paranoid likes to make people paranoid

Queen

Délia Fille de la Mer

Who Are These Angels CXLIII

Sans titre

Blushing Reflections

Vertiges

Binti mrembo (beautiful girl)

Nick Cave

Enigma IV - scène de vie onirique inspiré du paysage d'Hourtin plage, presqu'île du Médoc

Untitled

THETIS

Untitled

L'ange

Avoir l'oeil

Trio de la reine

La lettre

Mouvement

Dante's Reflection

Pin up girl and jack pot 03

Soy feliz...Si nada te quita el sueño

Joyful Moment 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Children

The bill! Please

Portrait II

Corset, Portrait of an Equestrienne

L'eau est froide

Sans titre

Breath

Njinga

Geisha

Cataclysme

La mélodie des oiseaux qui passent

The cathedral II

Cache cache sur le pont

Sans titre

Roboïde Bart Simpson

La femme au chignon

010 Leta

Climb a Dream