Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

katarh t1_je9lyhq wrote

Reply to comment by pablorepe in You might like paintings more if you stop to read the gallery labels - people high in openness, and those with limited art experience, liked paintings more after reading information about the artist and their technique. by Litvi

Sometimes the little placards provide a lot more context than the raw painting could ever provide.

If it's a portrait, who is the subject? Is there some symbolic meaning behind the objects around them? Who commissioned it, and why? Was the artist just starting out, or was this the highlight of their career?

If it's a landscape, where was it painted? Was it done "in plain air" on site, or was it done from a sketch in a studio? Did the artist live there, or were they just visiting?

10

pablorepe t1_jebp6zo wrote

I guess that's valid for many people.

What you've said to me remembers me how people approached art in my school days. It was more important to learn than enjoying. Legit, sure.

Luckily, when I go to a museum I get a different experience that is quite deep, personal... And often independent from the life of those who appear in the painting or what was in the painter's mind. I am not trying to start a discussion, anyway.

2

katarh t1_jec3gbn wrote

I suppose also for some of us, the learning is part of the enjoying.

I also understand the perspective also wanting to appreciate the art as it is presented, and without the context. And as others in this discussion thread have noted, some artists want it to be approached that way - leaving the piece as Untitled and requesting that it be presented without the context or notes.

There's really no wrong way to appreciate art, despite what the clickbait title says. If you find the beauty in the image and not the words, that's valid too.

Cheers, stranger.

2