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, Rodez, Francine Ledieu

Francine Ledieu

Painting . 24.5 x 36 x 0.1 cm Painting . 9.6 x 14.2 x 0 inch

CHF 1,262

Painting, Selo-U, Ivan Tzonev

Ivan Tzonev

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

CHF 243

Painting, Parisienne, Isabelle Hirtzig

Isabelle Hirtzig

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

CHF 112

Painting, Disengaged, David Walker

David Walker

Painting . 39 x 39 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.4 x 15.4 x 0.1 inch

CHF 1,414

Painting, Snowy slope, Olena Klymenko

Olena Klymenko

Painting . 30 x 23 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 9.1 x 0.2 inch

CHF 338

Photography, Tirana, Rodolfo Franchi

Rodolfo Franchi

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

CHF 544

Photography, Paris, Rodolfo Franchi

Rodolfo Franchi

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

CHF 544

Photography, Villejuif, Rodolfo Franchi

Rodolfo Franchi

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

CHF 544

Fine Art Drawings, Broadway, Isabelle Hirtzig

Isabelle Hirtzig

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 209

Fine Art Drawings, Looking up, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 inch

CHF 214 CHF 160

Painting, Summer flood, Gabrielle Rul

Gabrielle Rul

Painting . 29.7 x 21 x 1 cm Painting . 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.4 inch

CHF 437

Painting, A white day, Kristine Kvitka

Kristine Kvitka

Painting . 40 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

CHF 738

Painting, Morning Light, Mike Hall

Mike Hall

Painting . 30 x 35 x 1 cm Painting . 11.8 x 13.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 937

Painting, Toboggan, Marie Vandooren

Marie Vandooren

Painting . 30 x 40 x 5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 15.7 x 2 inch

CHF 670

Fine Art Drawings, Plaza, Frank De Blok

Frank De Blok

Fine Art Drawings . 21 x 30 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.3 x 11.8 inch

CHF 214

Painting, View of Portsoy, Mike Hall

Mike Hall

Painting . 35 x 30 x 1 cm Painting . 13.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 937

Painting, Shoreditch, David Walker

David Walker

Painting . 34 x 34 x 1 cm Painting . 13.4 x 13.4 x 0.4 inch

CHF 1,002

Painting, Bord de mer, KLO

KLO

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

CHF 87

Print, Le pont, Jean Commère

Jean Commère

Print . 32 x 24 x 0.05 cm Print . 12.6 x 9.4 x 0 inch

CHF 243

Painting, Winter City, Klimenko Olena

Klimenko Olena

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

CHF 485

Painting, Old Town, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 30 x 44 x 3 cm Painting . 11.8 x 17.3 x 1.2 inch

CHF 622

Photography, Blues Covid, Tanguy Mendrisse

Tanguy Mendrisse

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

CHF 155