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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Painting, Untitled, Mauro Bellucci

Mauro Bellucci

Painting - 50 x 50 x 0.1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

CHF 965

Fine Art Drawings, Honfleur, Jean Le Gac

Jean Le Gac

Fine Art Drawings - 29.5 x 38 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.6 x 15 inch

CHF 1,013

Fine Art Drawings, View, Nicolas Damianakis

Nicolas Damianakis

Fine Art Drawings - 24 x 31.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9.4 x 12.4 x 0 inch

CHF 290

Photography, Mirror, Maciej Leszczynski

Maciej Leszczynski

Photography - 18 x 28 cm Photography - 7.1 x 11 inch

CHF 338

Photography, Fushimi inari, Mirei

Mirei

Photography - 20 x 27 cm Photography - 7.9 x 10.6 inch

CHF 338

Painting, Pink arch, Procach Olesia

Procach Olesia

Painting - 45 x 45 x 2 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

CHF 594

Painting, Marble Arch, Marco Araldi

Marco Araldi

Painting - 36 x 36 x 3 cm Painting - 14.2 x 14.2 x 1.2 inch

CHF 643

Print, Free Rothko, Oak Oak

Oak Oak

Print - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

CHF 183

Painting, Brant Point, David Sipko

David Sipko

Painting - 27.9 x 35.6 x 2 cm Painting - 11 x 14 x 0.8 inch

CHF 701

Fine Art Drawings, 146150, Pierre Muckensturm

Pierre Muckensturm

Fine Art Drawings - 40 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings - 15.7 x 11.8 inch

CHF 627

Painting, Aldgate East, David Walker

David Walker

Painting - 39 x 35 cm Painting - 15.4 x 13.8 inch

CHF 1,054

Sculpture, Ohne Titel, Gerd Kanz

Gerd Kanz

Sculpture - 30 x 30 x 4 cm Sculpture - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.6 inch

CHF 1,158

Painting, Barocco 15, Bernard Ambielle

Bernard Ambielle

Painting - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 627

Painting, Dazibao, Meleo

Meleo

Painting - 22 x 32 x 4 cm Painting - 8.7 x 12.6 x 1.6 inch

CHF 1,158

Painting, View of Bass Rock, Mike Hall

Mike Hall

Painting - 37 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 14.6 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 882

Painting, Cottages, Ružena Velesová

Ružena Velesová

Painting - 35 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 13.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

CHF 497

Photography, Circus, Katerina Belkina

Katerina Belkina

Photography - 30 x 40 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 inch

CHF 1,650

Painting, Untitled, Ferran Roca Bon

Ferran Roca Bon

Painting - 35 x 50 cm Painting - 13.8 x 19.7 inch

CHF 869

Sculpture, Ardent, Eva Richard

Eva Richard

Sculpture - 28 x 20 x 5 cm Sculpture - 11 x 7.9 x 2 inch

CHF 386

Sculpture, Pas 02.23, Yves Tilly

Yves Tilly

Sculpture - 34 x 12 x 7 cm Sculpture - 13.4 x 4.7 x 2.8 inch

CHF 946

Painting, Village 28, Daozhou Huang

Daozhou Huang

Painting - 30 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

CHF 483

Painting, Fourvière, Paul Ward

Paul Ward

Painting - 27.9 x 20.3 x 1.3 cm Painting - 11 x 8 x 0.5 inch

CHF 644

Painting, Village, Manolo Ruiz Pipo

Manolo Ruiz Pipo

Painting - 38 x 46 x 3 cm Painting - 15 x 18.1 x 1.2 inch

CHF 1,158

Print, Soviet, Jibé

Jibé

Print - 40 x 30 cm Print - 15.7 x 11.8 inch

CHF 97

Painting, Venecia, Rafael Griera

Rafael Griera

Painting - 35 x 44 x 1 cm Painting - 13.8 x 17.3 x 0.4 inch

CHF 579

Fine Art Drawings, Silent Drift, Nora Shade

Nora Shade

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 206

Painting, Les chats, Heidi Schmelzer

Heidi Schmelzer

Painting - 34 x 24 x 3 cm Painting - 13.4 x 9.4 x 1.2 inch

CHF 700

Painting, Ropas, Josefa Sanz del Amo

Josefa Sanz del Amo

Painting - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

CHF 1,737

Fine Art Drawings, Theatrical Scene, Eugene Berman

Eugene Berman

Fine Art Drawings - 25 x 35 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 9.8 x 13.8 x 0 inch

CHF 483

Sculpture, Bohême, K-OD

K-OD

Sculpture - 42 x 42 x 32 cm Sculpture - 16.5 x 16.5 x 12.6 inch

CHF 820

Fine Art Drawings, La caffettiera conica, Aldo Rossi

Aldo Rossi

Fine Art Drawings - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 3,764