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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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Print, Purpose, Vhils

Purpose

Vhils

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

CHF 967

Painting, La pièce manquante, Ender

La pièce manquante

Ender

Painting - 41 x 33 x 2 cm Painting - 16.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

CHF 537

Painting, La pièce manquante, Ender

La pièce manquante

Ender

Painting - 41 x 33 x 2 cm Painting - 16.1 x 13 x 0.8 inch

CHF 537

Painting, Tpdca, Stefano Mazzolini

Tpdca

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 488

Painting, Tecma, Stefano Mazzolini

Tecma

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting - 50 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 488

Sculpture, Cactus, Virginia Benedicto

Cactus

Virginia Benedicto

Sculpture - 40 x 22 x 4.5 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 8.7 x 1.8 inch

CHF 1,172

Painting, Untitled, Ilia Balavadze

Untitled

Ilia Balavadze

Painting - 35 x 25 x 1 cm Painting - 13.8 x 9.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 586

Sculpture, Coming Home, Alex Hodge

Coming Home

Alex Hodge

Sculpture - 29.2 x 14 x 12.7 cm Sculpture - 11.5 x 5.5 x 5 inch

CHF 1,496

Painting, Alive, O Gringo

Alive

O Gringo

Painting - 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

CHF 513

Painting, LIBRE, O Gringo

LIBRE

O Gringo

Painting - 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

CHF 513

Print, Clara, Roby Dwi Antono

Clara

Roby Dwi Antono

Print - 50 x 44 cm Print - 19.7 x 17.3 inch

CHF 2,030

Painting, L’océan, Marie Deforche

L’océan

Marie Deforche

Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

CHF 381

Sculpture, True Legend, James Chiew

True Legend

James Chiew

Sculpture - 45 x 45 x 45 cm Sculpture - 17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7 inch

CHF 2,686

Fine Art Drawings, The Kiss, Mino Maccari

The Kiss

Mino Maccari

Fine Art Drawings - 35 x 50 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 13.8 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch

CHF 781

Painting, Portrait 07, Barbara Kroll

Portrait 07

Barbara Kroll

Painting - 38.1 x 29 x 0.3 cm Painting - 15 x 11.4 x 0.1 inch

CHF 308

Sculpture, Radiant Muse, Dervis Akdemir

Radiant Muse

Dervis Akdemir

Sculpture - 50 x 46 x 32 cm Sculpture - 19.7 x 18.1 x 12.6 inch

CHF 1,044

Painting, Le bain de soleil, Jéko

Le bain de soleil

Jéko

Painting - 27 x 41 x 2 cm Painting - 10.6 x 16.1 x 0.8 inch

CHF 1,270

Design, Time off Black, Kaws

Time off Black

Kaws

Design - 20 x 32 x 15 cm Design - 7.9 x 12.6 x 5.9 inch

CHF 977

Sculpture, Hermes bust, Dervis Akdemir

Hermes bust

Dervis Akdemir

Sculpture - 43 x 17 x 15 cm Sculpture - 16.9 x 6.7 x 5.9 inch

CHF 116

Painting, Purple Child, Jef Aérosol

Purple Child

Jef Aérosol

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

CHF 2,637

Painting, Yellow Child, Jef Aérosol

Yellow Child

Jef Aérosol

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

CHF 2,637

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