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, Soleil Deux, Gabriel Baxas

Gabriel Baxas

Photography . 41 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 16.1 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 439

Print, Koons Book, Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons

Print . 44 x 33 x 8.5 cm Print . 17.3 x 13 x 3.3 inch

CHF 4,391

Photography, Vidéo game, Catherine Fabre

Catherine Fabre

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

CHF 439

Photography, Espigada, Maria Arbeláez

Maria Arbeláez

Photography . 31 x 50 x 3 cm Photography . 12.2 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

CHF 1,121

Print, LOVE MEETING, FTZ

FTZ

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

CHF 927

Print, J'ai faim, Albert Uderzo

Albert Uderzo

Print . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Print . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 67

Print, Frida, Giovanna Gil Alves

Giovanna Gil Alves

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

CHF 1,268

Photography, The Red Bag, Katya Ackermann

Katya Ackermann

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

CHF 2,342

Print, Owls, Swoon

Swoon

Print . 48.26 x 43.18 x 0.1 cm Print . 19 x 17 x 0 inch

CHF 1,171

Photography, Beneficio (1), Bze Bzeland

Bze Bzeland

Photography . 24 x 30.5 x 0.1 cm Photography . 9.4 x 12 x 0 inch

CHF 146

Photography, Kintsugi IV, Romain Liverato

Romain Liverato

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

CHF 976

Photography, Le tourbillon, Catherine Fabre

Catherine Fabre

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

CHF 439

Print, HAPPY GUYS, FTZ

FTZ

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

CHF 927

Photography, Jeux d'eau, Gabriel Baxas

Gabriel Baxas

Photography . 41 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 16.1 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 917

Print, Amitié, Albert Uderzo

Albert Uderzo

Print . 40 x 50 x 1 cm Print . 15.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 67

Photography, Weary Grin, Ali Buhamad

Ali Buhamad

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

CHF 906

Print, Red Riding Hood, Swoon

Swoon

Print . 48.26 x 43.18 x 0.1 cm Print . 19 x 17 x 0 inch

CHF 1,171

Photography, Alley, Margaux Panel

Margaux Panel

Photography . 30.5 x 46 x 3 cm Photography . 12 x 18.1 x 1.2 inch

CHF 683

Photography, Illusoire II, Patricia HOUIN

Patricia HOUIN

Photography . 30 x 44 x 0.3 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.3 x 0.1 inch

CHF 571

Photography, Averse, Tanguy Mendrisse

Tanguy Mendrisse

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

CHF 156

Print, MLK, Seth One

MLK

Seth One

Print . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Print . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 127

Print, Icare - Songe, Nina Urlichs

Nina Urlichs

Print . 40 x 30 x 0.5 cm Print . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

CHF 488