Looking At Art

Paintings can be appreciated just for the way they look. But you can enjoy a painting even more if you examine it and think about its meaning.  When you look at a painting it is like having a conversation with the artist. Some artists are trying to make a moral point. Some want to show you the pure joy of color. Can you guess the message?

Take your time and make yourself comfortable.  There’s always a lot more to a painting than you see at first glance. Stand in front of the painting and let yourself get a feeling for it.  Give it some time to work on your eyes, your mind, and your emotions.

What type of painting are you viewing? You might be looking at a landscape, a still life of fruit or flowers, or a portrait (like Mona Lisa). Can you tell if the painter used oil paints or watercolors?  Can you see the brush strokes? Are figures outlined or did the artist use Leonardo’s technique, sfumato? What is the composition of the painting? Look for shapes like circles and triangles.

Look for details.  In the painting Lady with Ermine, Leonardo painted Cecilia holding an ermine because that animal was a symbol of the Sforza family and Cecila was their friend.  Artists often use certain objects as symbols. In some older paintings dogs symbolized loyalty, water was a symbol of life, and skulls a symbol of death.

Color is used to make people feel emotion. What colors did the artist use and how do they make you feel?  Sometimes color is used as a symbol or because it has become a tradition to paint certain things in a particular color. Blue is the traditional color for Mary’s robe, and Leonardo followed that tradition in the Virgin of the Rocks. Look at the way the artist uses light. Light sets a mood and places the emphasis on certain figures and objects.

Think about the subject of the painting. Who do you think the people are?  What are they doing?  Is this a modern-day scene or one from many years ago? Where is it taking place?  How are people dressed? Are they posing or just going about their activities? Think about why the artist chose this particular subject.  He or she may be trying to make a point, but don’t forget that sometimes artists are paid to paint specific things.  If you know when the painting was made, read about the events of that time and think of how they might have influenced the artist.

Finally, write about the painting in your journal. Did you like the painting? Why or why not?  How did it make you feel? What did it remind you of? Let your imagination go. Maybe it reminded you of a song or a person you know or a favorite book. What do you think the artist wants to say to you?  Make up your own story or poem about the painting. Let it inspire you.