Understanding art is easier than it seems. Complicated jargon and complex theories can confuse the average viewer and intimidate most audiences. The key to understanding art is a simple formula that can be explained as long as the teacher is unpretentious and has an open mind. Most teachers of art history explain lectures that are long-winded and dry. If the student is lucky, they will have an unbiased teacher who is as much attuned to human nature, history and philanthropy as they are with art. Fortunately, art is about understanding basic human emotion and connecting the artist with the viewer. For the majority, art is what you make of it. It is the culmination of the artist and viewer combined. Art cannot happen on its own; it is an exchange of ideas, theories, and radical views. It can also soothe the soul. So, whether your journey is to fully understand the masters, or to appreciate art on your own terms, there are never any wrong answers and everyone can take something from the beauty and individuality of each piece.
The first step to understanding art is to understand the structure of each individual piece. Many viewers are inclined to delve into works and look for the hidden meaning of each painting or sculpture. While looking for hidden symbolism is part of the fun and the mystery of art, looking for symbolism alone will not only deter you from understanding the full meaning of the work, it may cause you to stray from the meaning altogether. Step number one? Enjoy the work of art. It is, after all, a work of art. Don't ever forget this simple piece of knowledge. Art should create an emotion, a feeling and if the prior two reasons are not enough, it should create some kind of respect. But what is art? Don't worry- we'll get to that later. For the time being, just remember to look at the entire piece and notice how it makes you feel.
Now that you have a general feeling of the piece, begin to notice the structure. What kinds of objects occupy the space? What objects are more dominant than others? In Monet's "The Beach at Trouville," the majority of the painting is overtaken by the brand new hotel and the technology that took over France in the period it was painted. He intended for the painting to signify the technological revolution, which is something some French naturalists considered to be a stigma on their society. Blurring your eyes and mentally dividing the painting into sections will help, also. Understanding space is an important part of understanding art. Simply noticing how the space is used in a piece will help you get a basic understanding of the artists intention and will get you on the right track. Also, don't forget to take a look at the physical space the piece is displayed in. If it is a painting, is it framed? What does the frame look like? Are you viewing the piece of art in a gallery, a museum, or a simpler structure like a house or government building? Most people have no idea the Mona Lisa is such a large piece. The room the painting was placed in is very small in comparison and forces the viewer to see the Mona Lisa just as DaVinci had when he was working on the famous painting.
The person who assembles pieces together in a museum or gallery is called a curator. The curator's job is quite creative and is almost as important as the artist's. The curator will decide what pieces go well with each other or what pieces compliment each other. That doesn't mean you will always see works from the same time period, style or artist together. If the curator is trying to make a statement about how two works from completely different time periods or styles have a common theme or how they contrast, he or she may include them both in their display.
If you are looking at a sculpture or three-dimensional work, now would be a good time to make sure you are walking around the entire piece, getting a good idea of what it looks like from all sides. Don't forget to notice how the sculpture relates to the space it is in. Have respect for any art you see- if there are clear markings explaining you should not touch the art or come within a certain distance from it, it is for good reason. Many sculptures in the Acropolis have been destroyed as a result of billions of hands touching them everyday. However, what you may be surprised to hear, is some sculptures are made and meant to be touched! Some sculptures are even made to be walked on! So don't be surprised if you see some viewers trekking over pieces of art. Simply act cautiously. If its obvious you shouldn't touch it, its probably not a good idea.
After you feel comfortable with the piece, the space, and adjacent works, feel free to look at the identification tag (if there is one). Generally, identification tags will give you five pieces of information. First, and sometimes most obviously, there is the title. This is usually printed in bold letters or letters that appear larger than the other print. How does the title of the work change your ideas and feelings about the piece? Is it what you expected? Did you know the title before you saw the work? Sometimes titles of art can be surprising. Artists love to use irony in their titles. Jasper Johns, and African American artist painted pictures of the American flag that resembled folk art with extremely violent titles. Sometimes a dark or disturbing piece will have a pleasant or happy-sounding title. Finally, sometimes the title is exactly what you would expect. Vermeer's "Woman Holding a Balance," is exactly that.
The next piece of information is generally the artist's name. That's easy, right? Its fun to find artworks by well-known artists you never even knew existed or to see a piece and realize two artists you didn't know had anything in common painted in a similar style. After taking a peek at the artist, you will see a few more bits of information. The medium (what the piece is made from) the size, any information about the benefactor or donator and finally, the date.
The date is single-handedly probably the most important information on the card. It reveals what time in history the artist created this particular work. Don't worry about understanding what "period" the piece is from. However, it is always helpful to know what was happening in history at that time. Because art is a reflection of life, it is also a reflection of history. As we all know from, "The DaVinci Code," artists could not always be completely upfront about the subject they were trying to convey. Either they would be persecuted or sometimes violently convicted based on their beliefs. This doesn't mean, however, that a piece created during the French Revolution would necessarily depict scenes of violence. The artist might want to depict a calm scene that reflects a time of inner-peace and reflection. Understanding the history of the work of art is not the only key to unlocking its mystery, or even the most important, but it is extremely helpful in understanding what the artist was thinking or feeling when they created it.
The next thing to look for is any symbolism in the piece. Artists love to put clues in their works to let the audience guess the hidden meaning. For example, sometimes a candle can represent Christ. The colors blue and purple very often symbolize royalty. Some animals such as dogs can represent faithfulness. Animals such as deer can represent purity. Don't read too much into symbolism, however, sometimes looking for symbolism where it doesn't belong can deter from the actual meaning. In some of Vermeer's works, he paints women who seemingly have a bloated belly. Many viewers can confuse the large belly as the belly of a pregnant woman. In fact, this is simply a fashion trend of the times. The "belly" is made of petticoats and special undergarments. The bottom line? Notice symbolism but don't read too much into it- it will deter from understanding the work.
Finally, you will notice artworks from different periods. You may run into a Monet in one gallery of a museum and a work by Cezanne in the next. Having an appreciation or at least an open mind for different kinds of art will enhance your experience. You may see Ancient art, Medieval art, Renaissance art, Naturalist art, Impressionist art, Modern art, or Contemporary art. You will notice many works that bleed into different time periods. Understanding Contemporary and Modern art is easier than it seems. If you follow the same formula above you will be able to understand and have an appreciation for it. Don't be put off by the lack of objects in the works, however. Simply notice the colors, lack of colors, shapes, symbols, and how the space is used and you will be able to have at least a small understanding of it.
A good question to start to think about is; what is art? What does art mean to you, to the rest of the world, to the artist, and to the space? Everyone will come up with a different answer, as there are no wrong answers, but a popular belief is; art is everything. For example, performance art can be acting, dancing, cooking, creating art in front of a viewer, or audience participation art. Many artists feel their works are not complete until someone sees the piece or experiences it. The reaction of the audience member is part of the experience. Some artists feel any act that is a statement is art. It may be wise to begin the think about this question as you experience different pieces. Is what you see art to you? If you don't feel that it is art, can it be considered art to someone else?
Also, start noticing what kind of art you enjoy. Not everyone enjoys the same kind of art. Some people prefer to see people depicted exactly as they were in life, and some people enjoy more abstract art. Abstract art can be fun to see because the meaning is not always as clear and it you may have to dissect the painting or sculpture a bit further. People who love to see paintings that depict life exactly as it was will love Trompe l'oeil, which is a technique artists use that make objects in a painting seem so real you feel as though they were glued to the canvas. Many artists use actual objects in their sculptures, as well. Some artists make cars out of coffins, towers out of cigarette butts, and sculptures out of soda cans. All these techniques are designed to make a statement. Simply by noticing the art, you are one step closer to understanding it.
If you are looking at a painting, try to notice the brush strokes. Are they visible? In Impressionist painting, many artists use large brushstrokes. Pointillism is a term used in Impressionist painting that refers to large dots that are strategically placed on the canvas to create a larger object. Perhaps there are no brush strokes at all- Jackson Pollack splattered paint onto his canvases to create a chaotic effect. However, sometimes his pieces can be very calming as well. Whether they are calming or violent, the technique he uses creates movement in the painting, which makes his pieces exciting to look at.
Now, you are ready to experience art. Remember, art is about an exchange of ideas. Its learning about history, understanding what was happening at a specific point in time, and its about enjoying yourself. Take time to notice how different pieces make you feel. If you don't like a piece, don't worry! No one will judge you for having an opinion. The most important part of art is to learn something new and take away a broader view on the world. Enjoy!