smaller and larger works

Our brains have the habit of 'looking at' smaller works,
as if it is an object (to be perceived),

while it treats larger works differently, namely,
one experiences larger work as if one is part of it,
or inside it. (Think of the very large scenes of a group of people,
landscapes etc of the old masters, or the Impressionist, such as
Monet's waterlilies....).