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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Photography, Saudade, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

Photography . 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

CHF 701

Photography, Untitled #1, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

CHF 1,068

Fine Art Drawings, Wroclaw, Mariusz Szalajdewicz

Mariusz Szalajdewicz

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 32 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 12.6 inch

CHF 194

Photography, Fade to black (M), Streety

Streety

Photography . 40 x 50 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 inch

CHF 340

Photography, 135 Méga-Jul #6, Samzaï

Samzaï

Photography . 30 x 45 x 0.5 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.2 inch

CHF 160

Photography, Woman, Eugenie Killikh

Eugenie Killikh

Photography . 38 x 25.4 x 0.3 cm Photography . 15 x 10 x 0.1 inch

CHF 1,067

Photography, Duality, Eugenie Killikh

Eugenie Killikh

Photography . 38 x 38 x 0.3 cm Photography . 15 x 15 x 0.1 inch

CHF 1,067

Photography, Control, Ali Buhamad

Ali Buhamad

Photography . 40 x 50 x 5 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 x 2 inch

CHF 445

Photography, A cold cliff, Nino Alavidze

Nino Alavidze

Photography . 30 x 45 x 3 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 1.2 inch

CHF 445

Photography, Angry Dockers, Arthur Steel

Arthur Steel

Photography . 33 x 41 x 1 cm Photography . 13 x 16.1 x 0.4 inch

CHF 869

Photography, Untitled #10, Josef Nadj

Josef Nadj

Photography . 25 x 30 cm Photography . 9.8 x 11.8 inch

CHF 1,068

Photography, Tracks XVI, Bruno Charoy

Bruno Charoy

Photography . 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

CHF 776

Photography, Touch (XS), Tyler Shields

Tyler Shields

Photography . 38.1 x 50.8 cm Photography . 15 x 20 inch

CHF 2,223

Photography, Smoke Mouth, Tyler Shields

Tyler Shields

Photography . 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography . 18 x 18 inch

CHF 2,223

Photography, Glitter Pill, Tyler Shields

Tyler Shields

Photography . 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography . 18 x 18 inch

CHF 2,223

Photography, Lion Tamer, Tyler Shields

Tyler Shields

Photography . 38.1 x 50.8 cm Photography . 15 x 20 inch

CHF 2,223

Photography, Golden Nugget, Tyler Shields

Tyler Shields

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography . 16 x 20 inch

CHF 2,223

Photography, Mean Streets, Tyler Shields

Tyler Shields

Photography . 45.7 x 45.7 cm Photography . 18 x 18 inch

CHF 2,223

Photography, Casablanca, Tyler Shields

Tyler Shields

Photography . 38.1 x 50.8 cm Photography . 15 x 20 inch

CHF 2,223

Photography, Évasion, Tanguy Mendrisse

Tanguy Mendrisse

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 155

Sculpture, L'Envol, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

Sculpture . 50 x 28 x 26 cm Sculpture . 19.7 x 11 x 10.2 inch

CHF 9,706

Painting, Tondo II, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

Painting . 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

CHF 2,912

Painting, Tondo I, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

Painting . 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

CHF 2,912

Painting, Mains IV, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

Painting . 40 x 40 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

CHF 2,912

Photography, La mirada, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

Photography . 40 x 50 cm Photography . 15.7 x 19.7 inch

CHF 701