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, Branding Iron, Anthony Dunphy

Anthony Dunphy

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.8 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.3 inch

CHF 735

Painting, Balcony, Anthony Dunphy

Anthony Dunphy

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.8 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.3 inch

CHF 735

Photography, Rivière, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

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

CHF 583

Painting, En paix, Nathalie Le Reste

Nathalie Le Reste

Painting . 27 x 35 x 2 cm Painting . 10.6 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

CHF 379

Painting, Going west, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 27.9 x 35.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11 x 14 x 0.2 inch

CHF 667

Painting, Lac Mont-Cenis, Michel Jamet

Michel Jamet

Painting . 22 x 27 x 2 cm Painting . 8.7 x 10.6 x 0.8 inch

CHF 160

Photography, Mountains, Fabrizio Alzati

Fabrizio Alzati

Photography . 20 x 27 cm Photography . 7.9 x 10.6 inch

CHF 340

Painting, Colorado, Nat Stresser

Nat Stresser

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

CHF 437

Painting, Cretan boats, Elena Sokolova

Elena Sokolova

Painting . 30 x 30 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 206

Painting, God is Here, Lola Sergounine

Lola Sergounine

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 437

Painting, Spring Mountains, Zhize Lv

Zhize Lv

Painting . 34.5 x 34.5 cm Painting . 13.6 x 13.6 inch

CHF 207 CHF 187

Painting, Autumn mountains, Zhize Lv

Zhize Lv

Painting . 34.5 x 34.5 cm Painting . 13.6 x 13.6 inch

CHF 207 CHF 187

Painting, Landscape, Areg Vahramyan

Areg Vahramyan

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

CHF 1,749 CHF 1,486

Fine Art Drawings, UP/PF/010, Jean-Jacques André

Jean-Jacques André

Fine Art Drawings . 21.5 x 41.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.5 x 16.3 x 0.1 inch

CHF 185

Photography, Totem, Coralie Honnorat

Coralie Honnorat

Photography . 30 x 20 x 0.1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

CHF 194

Photography, Garda II, Nilgun Sezgin

Nilgun Sezgin

Photography . 45 x 30 x 0.01 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 219

Fine Art Drawings, Efecte d'altitud 35, Pep Vidal

Pep Vidal

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 29.7 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.7 inch

CHF 1,214

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre 19, Katsuko Kuroya

Katsuko Kuroya

Fine Art Drawings . 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

CHF 155

Fine Art Drawings, Efecte d'altitud 34, Pep Vidal

Pep Vidal

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 29.7 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.7 inch

CHF 1,214

Fine Art Drawings, Efecte d'altitud 22, Pep Vidal

Pep Vidal

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 29.7 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.7 inch

CHF 1,214