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, Changed, Alexander Litvinov

Alexander Litvinov

Painting . 47 x 47 x 2 cm Painting . 18.5 x 18.5 x 0.8 inch

CHF 578

Painting, Gravity, Anatoly Varvarov

Anatoly Varvarov

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

CHF 826

Painting, Wharf Shack, Timon Sloane

Timon Sloane

Painting . 22.9 x 30.5 x 1.3 cm Painting . 9 x 12 x 0.5 inch

CHF 512

Painting, Red top, Benjamin Carrivick

Benjamin Carrivick

Painting . 30 x 20.1 x 0.3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.1 inch

CHF 196

Painting, New Snow, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 0.2 inch

CHF 828

Fine Art Drawings, Moutons Baldwin, Helen Uter

Helen Uter

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

CHF 486

Fine Art Drawings, NYC, Isabelle Hirtzig

NYC

Isabelle Hirtzig

Fine Art Drawings . 20 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 155

Sculpture, Birth, Victor Prodanchuk

Victor Prodanchuk

Sculpture . 40 x 39 x 27 cm Sculpture . 15.7 x 15.4 x 10.6 inch

CHF 5,340

Sculpture, Woodman, Victor Prodanchuk

Victor Prodanchuk

Sculpture . 21 x 35 x 16 cm Sculpture . 8.3 x 13.8 x 6.3 inch

CHF 4,005

Sculpture, Dream tree, Victor Prodanchuk

Victor Prodanchuk

Sculpture . 29 x 20 x 19 cm Sculpture . 11.4 x 7.9 x 7.5 inch

CHF 4,450

Sculpture, Fish, Victor Prodanchuk

Victor Prodanchuk

Sculpture . 17 x 44 x 12 cm Sculpture . 6.7 x 17.3 x 4.7 inch

CHF 4,450

Painting, Féminin, Fanny Villa

Fanny Villa

Painting . 40 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch

CHF 243

Painting, Sun, Oleksandr Khrapachov

Sun

Oleksandr Khrapachov

Painting . 30 x 45 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

CHF 445

Photography, Path to the Sea, Arantza NT

Arantza NT

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.01 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 187

Painting, Yakari, Maxime Frairot

Maxime Frairot

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0 inch

CHF 175

Painting, Terra II, Ludovic Isidore

Ludovic Isidore

Painting . 30 x 24 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch

CHF 583

Photography, Hotel Europe, Jonathan Dy

Jonathan Dy

Photography . 20 x 26.57 cm Photography . 7.9 x 10.5 inch

CHF 243

Print, Portal No. 3, Jane Ward

Jane Ward

Print . 30 x 30 cm Print . 11.8 x 11.8 inch

CHF 377

Photography, Break Free, Samsofy

Samsofy

Photography . 24 x 36 x 1 cm Photography . 9.4 x 14.2 x 0.4 inch

CHF 58

Photography, L'ancien temps, Marick

Marick

Photography . 40 x 40 x 1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 340