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, Walk on Rivoli (S), Streety

Streety

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

CHF 243

Photography, Glitter Autumn, Arantza NT

Arantza NT

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

CHF 186

Photography, Ainsi Pont, Vivien Raynal

Vivien Raynal

Photography . 20 x 30 x 1 cm Photography . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 340

Photography, O prazer, James Sparshatt

James Sparshatt

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

CHF 819

Photography, Infini, Irène Jonas

Irène Jonas

Photography . 19 x 28 x 0.1 cm Photography . 7.5 x 11 x 0 inch

CHF 874

Photography, Bored Duck, Greg Mascot

Greg Mascot

Photography . 21 x 29.7 cm Photography . 8.3 x 11.7 inch

CHF 194

Photography, Tunnel, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

Photography . 30 x 45 x 1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 582

Photography, Night in SoHo (M), Streety

Streety

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

CHF 340

Photography, Spring, Mario Tarantino

Mario Tarantino

Photography . 50 x 50 x 0.3 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

CHF 505

Photography, Dream Lake 2, Majo Jurcik

Majo Jurcik

Photography . 28 x 18.6 cm Photography . 11 x 7.3 inch

CHF 291

Photography, Street 1, Nicholas Winter

Nicholas Winter

Photography . 40 x 40 cm Photography . 15.7 x 15.7 inch

CHF 951

Photography, Still Life, Chiara Bettazzi

Chiara Bettazzi

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

CHF 340

Photography, Détente, Irène Jonas

Irène Jonas

Photography . 19 x 28 x 0.1 cm Photography . 7.5 x 11 x 0 inch

CHF 874

Photography, Night in SoHo (S), Streety

Streety

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

CHF 243

Photography, Meraki, Rodrigo

Rodrigo

Photography . 44.7 x 31.5 x 0.1 cm Photography . 17.6 x 12.4 x 0 inch

CHF 2,231

Photography, Puerto Vallarta, Jonathan Dy

Jonathan Dy

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

CHF 243

Photography, Kintsugi II, Romain Liverato

Romain Liverato

Photography . 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 971

Photography, En azules, Tere Duro

Tere Duro

Photography . 33 x 50 cm Photography . 13 x 19.7 inch

CHF 485

Photography, Maïs, Sébastien Chauchot

Sébastien Chauchot

Photography . 35 x 40 x 1 cm Photography . 13.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 340

Photography, One (S), Streety

Streety

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

CHF 243

Photography, Orange, Fabien Strauss

Fabien Strauss

Photography . 30 x 24 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 9.4 x 0 inch

CHF 223

Print, Full people, Wait

Wait

Print . 20 x 30 x 1 cm Print . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 214

Print, Art, Pieter Ceizer

Art

Pieter Ceizer

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

CHF 141

Photography, Agon #3, George Mayer

George Mayer

Photography . 30 x 23 cm Photography . 11.8 x 9.1 inch

CHF 711

Photography, Géants, Bertrand Desprez

Bertrand Desprez

Photography . 48 x 40 cm Photography . 18.9 x 15.7 inch

CHF 631

Photography, BrotherS (M), Streety

Streety

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

CHF 340