READING ART THE BASICS

what a particular painter was trying to achieve Art appreciation is not like solving mathematical equations because, there is rarely a 'correct' view about what a particular painter was trying to achieve whether he/she succeeded in their purpose how beautiful his/her painting is Furthermore, it is not your conclusion about a painting that matters - it is your reasoning. In other words, it is WHY you like it, or WHY you hate it, or WHY you feel indifferent towards it. From Interpretation, Analysis and Meaning of Oils, Frescoes and Watercolours by Old Masters

Three Areas of Focus 1. What is the picture or image? What is the “artist” depicting? 2. How is the picture or image designed? How does the “artist” say it? 3. What is the meaning of the picture or image? What is the “artist’s” purpose?

Reading Art is Like Reading Text What is the author saying? 2. How does the author say it? (words/structure) 3. What does the author mean or what is his/her purpose?

IMAGE When we first encounter a painting or image, we immediately take in the picture as a whole. Our brain tries to make sense of what we see. It tries to make connections to information we have learned and our personal experiences.

ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: What is the subject of the picture or image? Do you recognize the scene, image, setting, or can you relate to the scene etc. ?

The Scream of Nature by Edvard Munch; 1893, oil, crayon

DESIGN Almost simultaneously the brain begins to take in the details of the painting or image. Your eyes take in the colors, shapes, sizes and objects. It is in the details of the design that meaning is created.

ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: What are the colors used? Is there a prominent color? Is there any object or individual that is larger than the others or in the forefront ? What is the relationship of the objects to each other? What objects are included? How does the artist use lighting? Are there words or symbols? What (if anything) are the images doing?

MEANING The key to art appreciation is in finding meaning within the art, itself. Sometimes simply “liking” a piece of art is the only enjoyment we need. However, like the writer, the artist creates a piece of art to evoke emotion, convey a message, or interpret a moment in time.

ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS What does the artist want you to feel or understand about the scene? Why did the artist create the piece of art? How does the artist want you to view the subject?

Image: What is the subject (s)? Design: List details from the painting. Meaning: What do you think the artist wants you to feel or think? Connection to the play Macbeth?

I was walking along the road with two friends the sun was setting. The Scream I was walking along the road with two friends   the sun was setting.  Suddenly the sky turned blood red.  I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence.  There was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city.   My friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety   and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.

THE GALLARY WALK View the artwork in small groups. Discuss details and what the artist wants to emphasize in each piece of art. Choose the picture YOU want to focus on and use the organizer to help you analyze the artwork. Connect the artwork to Macbeth. Write about how the picture relates to Macbeth using details from the artwork and the play to support your ideas.

Kindred Spirits by Asher Brown Durand, 1849