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

Piano Bar

Broken princess

Portrait d'homme

Sans Titre

El grupo (Colección La Bolsa Mágica)

Readers series - Philosophy of money

The Doodler 2

Oris 4 (série de 40 têtes)

Sulking

Thomonoy

Upside Down

La fée clochette

Man Having Tea

Tchaikovsky

Anima e Animus

Moon face

Sevilla

Twin Brother

The moment of the eternal everything

Bonheur Éphémère

Bound By Time 1

La Nena XS

Illibatezza

Golden David Design

Padre

La sénégalaise

Against all odds

Girl with a Cat

The Embrace

Donald Duck and Le Petit Ecolier, Early 20th Century Oil on Board by Pierre Villain

Protection

Léviathan

Sunshine Bliss: The Aroma of Summer Watermelon

Maternité

Diego Rivera

Pertinance

La petite Sainte Coquette

Andy Warhol and Keith Haring

Ensemble

Cosmic Profile (original mixed media and watercolor)

Paris, Déambulation 3

Afro Crown 1

Alors Nino tu marches ?

Harmony in Color

Madone

Ghetto Blaster

These 2 photos were taken ....

Untitled

Sans titre

Stay

Récompensé

Le Minus

Solaris 1

La question

Ritual

Skull

Summer

Portrait fétiche

Avant

Bubble Gum

Duo - sculpture scène de vie homme et femme

Female figure

Welcoming Spring

Les triplettes

Girl

Portrait