Puppy (1992) by Jeff KoonsGuggenheim Bilbao
Puppy, Jeff Koons
One of Jeff Koons' most famous sculptures, Puppy has stood outside the Guggenheim in Bilbao since 1997. Made primarily from stainless steel, it’s been delighting visitors to the museum for decades. Like many of Jeff Koons’ work, Puppy plays on scale.
So is this piece minuscule or massive?
Kaldor Public Art Project 10: Jeff Koons 1995 (1995) by Jeff KoonsKaldor Public Art Projects
It’s massive!
Standing around 12 meters high, Puppy is a sculpture of gigantic proportions. The piece is a living garden, with the live flowers covering its exterior fed by an internal irrigation system. First exhibited in Germany in 1992, Puppy was also shown in Sydney, before moving to its permanent home in northern Spain.
Triptych (1511/1511)British Museum
Alter piece
Held in the collection of the British Museum, this ornately carved alter piece dates from around 1511. The piece is made from boxwood and features scenes from the crucifixion. The object is one of the best preserved examples of its kind,
But is it tiny or titanic?
It's tiny!
Measuring just 25cm by 14cm, the miniature alter piece was acquired by Baron Anselm von Rothschild in 1866. It was donated to the British Museum as part of The Waddesdon Bequest, a collection of around 300 objects formerly owned by the Rothschild family.
In Bed (2005) by Ron MueckFondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain
In Bed, Ron Mueck
Australian-born sculptor Ron Mueck is well known for playing with scale. Like many of Mueck’s sculptures, In Bed features a person in an everyday situation.
Is this sculpture miniature or monumental?
It's monumental!
Hyper-real and hyper-huge, the work is around 6.5 meters long and 4 meters wide. Created in 2005, the piece has been displayed in various locations around the world.
English Reception Room of the Jacobean Period, 1625-55 (About 1937) by Mrs. James Ward Thorne (American, 1882-1966)The Art Institute of Chicago
English Reception Room of the Jacobean Period, 1625-55
In 1937, American artist Mrs. James Ward Thorne created this incredibly detailed piece. The walls of the room are decorated with authentic-looking portraits and even the ceiling has been beautifully decorated to reflect the style of the era.
But is this a tiny replica or a full-sized reproduction?
It's tiny!
Mrs. James Ward Thorne was famous for creating intricate and exact copies of period interiors. The artist reproduced rooms from Europe, Asia and North America. This piece measures just 41.3 x 62.2 x 48.9 cm and was made using a mix of materials.
Japanese Traditional Interior (About 1937) by Mrs. James Ward Thorne (American, 1882–1966)The Art Institute of Chicago
Did you know Mrs. James Ward Thorne's works are so popular, they have their own entire wing at the Art Institute of Chicago? See more here.
