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, Portrait #02, Koba

Koba

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

CHF 184

Painting, The first ice, Boris Serdyuk

Boris Serdyuk

Painting . 33 x 43 x 2 cm Painting . 13 x 16.9 x 0.8 inch

CHF 223

Print, L'orage, Hugo Caddous

Hugo Caddous

Print . 42 x 29.7 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.7 inch

CHF 87

Painting, Whatville, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,378

Painting, Three Sheds, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,378

Painting, Snowfall, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

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

CHF 809

Painting, Plum Creek, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 45.7 x 45.7 x 0.5 cm Painting . 18 x 18 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,378

Painting, Between, Xanda McCagg

Xanda McCagg

Painting . 30.1 x 30.1 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.9 x 11.9 x 0 inch

CHF 1,532

Painting, Pathway, Christel Haag

Christel Haag

Painting . 20.3 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Painting . 8 x 16 x 1 inch

CHF 400

Sculpture, Crown basquiat, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture . 21 x 26 x 3 cm Sculpture . 8.3 x 10.2 x 1.2 inch

CHF 243

Sculpture, Art is money dollar, Spaco

Spaco

Sculpture . 27 x 16 x 6 cm Sculpture . 10.6 x 6.3 x 2.4 inch

CHF 233

Print, Flower Bomber, Death NYC

Death NYC

Print . 45 x 32 cm Print . 17.7 x 12.6 inch

CHF 194

Painting, Run For It, Christel Haag

Christel Haag

Painting . 35.6 x 48.3 x 2.5 cm Painting . 14 x 19 x 1 inch

CHF 400

Painting, Grenades, Félix Vincent

Félix Vincent

Painting . 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

CHF 679

Painting, The for dog, Mana Key

Mana Key

Painting . 31 x 31 x 5 cm Painting . 12.2 x 12.2 x 2 inch

CHF 369

Painting, Samba, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 40 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

CHF 534

Fine Art Drawings, Portrait, François Chapuis

François Chapuis

Fine Art Drawings . 49 x 35 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.3 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

CHF 563

Print, Crossing 5, Kumi Sugaï

Kumi Sugaï

Print . 25.1 x 29.2 cm Print . 9.9 x 11.5 inch

CHF 582

Painting, Ignis Fatuus, Asma Namouji

Asma Namouji

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

CHF 485

Painting, Réconciliation, Navema

Navema

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

CHF 728

Painting, February, Liudmila Shabazova

Liudmila Shabazova

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

CHF 388

Painting, Caléndula, Gilbert Pauli

Gilbert Pauli

Painting . 41 x 41 x 3 cm Painting . 16.1 x 16.1 x 1.2 inch

CHF 2,583

Painting, Orange flame, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

CHF 291

Painting, Abstract No. 88, Gina Vor

Gina Vor

Painting . 39.5 x 29.5 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.6 x 11.6 x 0.1 inch

CHF 194

Fine Art Drawings, Résistant, Baptiste Laurent

Baptiste Laurent

Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 35 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 13.8 x 0.1 inch

CHF 631