Art Appreciation
A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING A MASTERPIECE
Let’s wrap up your year in Art 101 by putting together a touch of everything we’ve learned. Whether you’re prepping to impress someone on a date at the museum or just trying to understand the significance of a work of art for your own satisfaction, you’ll find the prompts below helpful for discussing and appreciating a particular work of art. (Go ahead and tear out this page and use it as a cheat sheet—just don’t let your date see you peek at it.)
• Do you like the work of art? Allow yourself an initial reaction before getting too analytical.
• Address the work’s aesthetic qualities. Do the elements of art come together to create a pleasing composition?
• Think about how the aesthetic qualities create a mood. How do the style and use of the medium communicate the atmosphere or emotions of the scene?
• Acknowledge the historical context. Relating the piece to social influences and events of its time can open the door to a deeper understanding of the subject matter. And admiring a piece against the backdrop of art history gives it a place in the ever-developing scope of art.
• Consider the piece within the context of the artist’s life. The work may represent a statement in response to personal circumstances, embodying a particular time in the artist’s life or marking a turning point in the artist’s approach to art. Whatever the case, personal insights can make viewing art a more intimate experience.
• Do you like the work of art? After pursuing steps 2–5, ask yourself this question again. Chances are you’ll feel differently about a piece once you’ve taken the time to understand it on multiple levels. —ETG