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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Subcategories

Small

Composition

Portrait au crayon

Elna - Territoires habités, relation homme animal

Estampe N°1 - Portrait stylisé coloré

Finger style

Portrait Basquiaise N°9

All Mixed Up

Le circassien

Dolly Parton, Orillia On

Sans Titre 12 - Ref BDNW9154

L'homme debout Astolfo

I'm

Eternal Becoming

Elsa Triolet et Les Loups

Frammenti

Gouache d'étude pour Gitanes

ll Coulours are welcome

L'Emozione

Untitled

Camargue

Kaws (BFF Blue)

Encensé 2

Portrait of Tu

Aizhan Mukatova I

Pink Dip

Girl in Red

Série de profils (4) Double Face

Audith Rhodes

Été

Diary Notes

Croquis de Ned Flanders

Like a pirate

Colourful games

Vigilant

Toréador

Ninetta

Aus dem Gruppenbuch der Christiane P. - Für Unseren Anton

Ballerina de Sol

Étude de portrait

Anticipation of Cake

Marché de Monségur

Jeune fille espagnole au foulard

Victory

Clown

Untitled

Dancer Combing the Hair

Ma petite

Cage

Arawn

Sans titre #1

Somptueuse

Lumière

Homme Un

Mère et enfants

La route est longue pour Gibraltar

Harlequin

Cubanisto

Hit by a bus

Jim Morrison - The Doors, 1967

Goldorak

Tea Picker

Woman In Red

Scissors Hand

Woman’s Head with Planes

2023-1142 / Visages et corps expressionnistes - série rouge et noir

Déterminée - Portrait de femme