Ever walk into an art gallery or museum and suddenly feel overwhelmed? Between the bright lights, stark white walls, and intimidating security staff, it is easy to feel lost and out-of-place in the seemingly stoic environment. Never fear, here are some tips and tricks to turn yourself into your personal art historian - and no worries, you do not need to have Erwin Panofsky's writings handy!
Photo by Deanna J on Unsplash.
Once you are in the gallery space, you may not know which piece to investigate first. People are flooding the space, camera's are snapping away, and you are standing there befuddled. My best advice is to go where your eye draws you. For example, I am always drawn to texture and to bright color. Bold brushstrokes with thick layers of paint are my cup of tea! So typically I'll saunter over to that painting first, even if it is in the middle of the gallery. However, if you are attending a special exhibition, typically the curator and the artist have very specific intentions for the way the viewer sees and experiences the art. If that is the case, then follow the flow of their exhibition!
Photo by Alicia Steels on Unsplash.
Following your active looking sketching session, I recommend reading the placard which provides the Artist, Title, and Date of the piece. It gives you the basic, necessary background on the piece. If the artwork particularly piqued your interest, you can even do some outside research on the artist and his or her works. Although the internet is a great resource, many museums, like the NGA and the Smithsonian, give the public access to their libraries if you really want to investigate!
That’s it! You are fully armed with artistic tools; go look at some art!
The most important thing upon entering an art gallery or a museum is your state of mind. It is so critical to have a clear and open headspace. Some art, especially contemporary pieces, is difficult to understand. You may leave feeling perplexed or displeased or perhaps in awe with aesthetic chills - all are good things! Those feelings indicate that you immersed yourself fully with the art. You had enough time to evaluate the work and to form your own opinion about it. A positive attitude will ensure that you have an enjoyable experience, and that you are able to take in the art fully, even if you personally do not connect with the piece.
Photo by Moe Kong on Unsplash.
After settling on an artwork, and I cannot stress this enough, you must spend time with the piece! Typically I advise my friends to sketch whatever artwork they are studying. Drawing the painting or sculpture allows you to catch all the little details that your eye might have accidentally missed. The sketch does not have to be beautifully executed — Lord knows my artistic abilities are pretty minimal — but this technique helps you to slow down the looking process and appreciate all little details, such as the application of paint, the light and shadows, and how the overall composition flows. I often ask myself what emotion does the art piece exude. Joyful? Hopelessness? Serenity? Romantic? And then I evaluate how the piece makes me feel. Am I confused or anxious? Do I see what the artist is trying to convey? And lastly, do I like or dislike the piece?
Woman Bathing Her Feet (Le Bain-de-pied), 1895, Camille Pissarro, © The Art Institute of Chicago, A Millennium Gift of Sara Lee Corporation, Chicago, Illinois.
From staff contributor Michele McDevitt