art appreciation museum visit paper

• Survey 1: Prehistory to Gothic
• Survey 2: Renaissance to Modern & Contemporary
• Thematic Lesson Plans
• AP Art History
• Books We Love
• CAA Conversations Podcasts
• SoTL Resources
• Teaching Writing About Art
• VISITING THE MUSEUM Learning Resource
• AHTR Weekly
• Digital Art History/Humanities
• Open Educational Resources (OERs)

Survey 1 See all→

• Prehistory and Prehistoric Art in Europe
• Art of the Ancient Near East
• Art of Ancient Egypt
• Jewish and Early Christian Art
• Byzantine Art and Architecture
• Islamic Art
• Buddhist Art and Architecture Before 1200
• Hindu Art and Architecture Before 1300
• Chinese Art Before 1300
• Japanese Art Before 1392
• Art of the Americas Before 1300
• Early Medieval Art

Survey 2 See all→

• Rapa Nui: Thematic and Narrative Shifts in Curriculum
• Proto-Renaissance in Italy (1200–1400)
• Northern Renaissance Art (1400–1600)
• Sixteenth-Century Northern Europe and Iberia
• Italian Renaissance Art (1400–1600)
• Southern Baroque: Italy and Spain
• Buddhist Art and Architecture in Southeast Asia After 1200
• Chinese Art After 1279
• Japanese Art After 1392
• Art of the Americas After 1300
• Art of the South Pacific: Polynesia
• African Art
• West African Art: Liberia and Sierra Leone
• European and American Architecture (1750–1900)
• Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth-Century Art in Europe and North America
• Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Sculpture
• Realism to Post-Impressionism
• Nineteenth-Century Photography
• Architecture Since 1900
• Twentieth-Century Photography
• Modern Art (1900–50)
• Mexican Muralism
• Art Since 1950 (Part I)
• Art Since 1950 (Part II)

Thematic Lesson Plans See all→

• Art and Cultural Heritage Looting and Destruction
• Art and Labor in the Nineteenth Century
• Art and Political Commitment
• Art History as Civic Engagement
• Comics: Newspaper Comics in the United States
• Comics: Underground and Alternative Comics in the United States
• Disability in Art History
• Educating Artists
• Feminism & Art
• Gender in Nineteenth-Century Art
• Globalism and Transnationalism
• Playing “Indian”: Manifest Destiny, Whiteness, and the Depiction of Native Americans
• Queer Art: 1960s to the Present
• Race and Identity
• Race-ing Art History: Contemporary Reflections on the Art Historical Canon
• Sacred Spaces
• Sexuality in Art

Making the Most of Museum Visits

First things first . . ..

Faculty want art history students to have opportunities to engage directly with original art objects in museums or gallery settings. These experiences underscore the discipline’s central reliance on material objects as a primary source of inquiry, and reveal the underlying problems and implications of their use. Viewing artworks on display highlights important formal characteristics of many works of art and raises questions about art’s originality, value, preservation, and display. In concert with classroom based pedagogies, object-based learning demonstrates ways of knowing that may also be rooted in embodied and aesthetic experience, and calls attention to art history’s uneasy relationship with its primary object of study, which students most often explore through visual surrogates made possible by continuing advancements in technology. But even though many communities have local museums, galleries, or artists spaces where students can experience real art, coordinating class visits present many instructional challenges. Below are some ideas for engaging (and effective) gallery-based activities for art history classes that AHTR has gathered over the years–many shared in our Facebook group’s discussions. We also encourage educators in higher education, as well as K-12 settings, to look to museum websites for additional learning resources and object-based learning methods that can be adapted to any student learning level.  To contribute your own ideas and activities to this list, please contact [email protected] .

Background and Preparation

Museums are great places to encourage close looking, conversational dialogue, and student-directed learning based in discovery and exploration! But, it’s best to resist the temptation to lead your class through the museum, stopping before specific objects and sharing your knowledge about their important. To make the most of the visit, allow (or assign) students to break into smaller groups, or to explore areas of the museum on their own. For evening classes or others offered when the museum is closed, have the students to go on their own. Here are some other suggestions: 

• Prepare students for their visit beforehand by telling them reasons for the trip. What do you want them to gain from the experience? How should the experience contribute to the learning goals of your course? How will you follow up to find out about their experience in the museum? (ie: a class discussion; an assignment; etc.). Be transparent about your goals for the visit.
• Provide the students a prompt or assignment that will help focus their experience to support your goals. Scavenger hunts and worksheets can be great, but use these to encourage higher order thinking by asking students to develop their own connections to ideas learned in class, choose which objects they’ll spend time with and discuss, or use social media to share and amplify their discoveries to a broader audience.  

Ideas, Suggestions, and Assignments

Object-based learning in the galleries.

• Index cards can be your best friend at the museum!  Use them for varied object-based assignments that you distribute in the galleries. For example, have students look for a designated time on their own and write down on their index card a question, an observation, a connection to class based on one object. Then share in a group discussion in the gallery (if there’s room) or in one of the museum’s public spaces.  These can also be used as the basis for independent reflective writing assignments to collect in class.
• Try close looking activities, either as a group or independently. Have students look quietly at the same object for a sustained time and then each share one observation. Group them in twos or threes and choose a work in a gallery and talk about for 7 minutes. Give them a menu of possible conversation starters (ie: What’s the story here? How would you describe this object to someone who’s blind? How does this object compare to others that we have learned about in class?)
• Sketching activities in the galleries support close looking, encourage sustained focus, and are great to help students understand the need to experience sculptural and architectural forms from different points of view.  You might also have students closely examine works in collections and then compare them to digital reproductions available through the museum’s website or posted online.

Museum-based Assignments and Research

• Ask students to notice, analyze, and evaluate curatorial decisions around museum display, organization of the collections, juxtapositions of objects in the galleries, and exhibition materials such as object labels and wall texts. This could be the basis of an assignment asking how they would create these elements to achieve different goals.
• Ask the students to think about where objects from different cultures or time periods are placed in the museum. Is it difficult or easy to find specific galleries? Have them analyze the juxtaposition of galleries on a map of the museum and consider how different pathways structure the visitor’s experience or might influence their understanding of art historical, cultural, and social relationships.
• Develop an assignment about the history of the museum itself. Have students  research how or who established it, how the collection was acquired, its current mission, and how it engages with the community.  While on site, have them consider why the building looks the way it does. Why is it located where it is? Who appears to be the museum’s primary audience? How do visitors engage with the museum, and how does the museum communicate information to its visitors?
• Assign a creative writing project inspired by the artworks or the museum setting. Consider assigning popular examples of art-based fiction as models and/or comparison to the writing and approach used in art historical scholarship.
• Assign a project to research or interview one of the curators or other museum staff.  
• Assign students develop a blog post (with photographs) responding to a prompt about their visit to the museum. Have them review an exhibition, research a work of art on view, or comment about their observations and interactions with other visitors in the galleries.  
• Prior to visiting a local museum, have students research and write about an object in the collection. (If materials aren’t available about the specific work, have them research a similar artist, movement, genre, object type, etc.)  At the museum, let them present their findings to others in the class, or assign them to revise the paper based on direct observation of the object

Additional Resources

In addition to the many museum websites that offer ideas, here are several resources for gallery teaching strategies that can be adapted to meet the objectives for different academic courses and learning levels.

See the section “Enjoying the Art,” in AHTR’s Lesson Plan:  How to Visit a Museum–A guide for students”

Check out these and other museum-based teaching ideas on the AHTR Weekly  (Search: Museums)

• Alexis Clark, “Writing Exhibition Reviews,” (2017)
• Alice Kain, “Object-Based Learning,” (2015)
• Erin McCutcheon, “Debating Cultural Appropriation,” (2018)
• Karen Shelby, “Bringing the Museum into the Classroom,” (2014)
• Elsie Smith, “Museum Object Portfolio Assignment,” (2014)
• Virginia Spivey, “Developing a Student Audioguide,” (2013)

Watch Lisa Mazzola share  “Five Tips for Teaching with Works of Art” in this short video from MoMA Education

See lots of great ideas at  ArtMuseumTeaching.com (Tag: Teaching Tools)

For a useful book on this topic, see Rika Burnham and Elliot Kai-Kee,  Teaching in the Art Museum: Interpretation as Experience . Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2011. ( on Amazon )

virginiaspivey, "Making the Most of Museum Visits," in Art History Teaching Resources, July 23, 2018, accessed April 20, 2024, https://arthistoryteachingresources.org/lessons/making-the-most-of-museum-visits/.

Art Appreciation: Learning to See Art and Artists in a New Light

Time to Read:

• Art Appreciation

Art appreciation is an often overlooked skill.

It’s much more than simply looking at a piece of art and judging it based on what we see – art appreciation requires us to look deeper, beyond the surface level into the artist’s intent and technique.

We’re here to help you learn how to step outside your comfort zone and explore new ways of seeing art and appreciating its beauty.

This article will provide insight into the process of learning to appreciate artwork from different perspectives.

You’ll gain knowledge about tips on how best to observe them so that you can discover hidden gems throughout any gallery or museum visit.

By the end of this journey, you’ll have all the necessary tools you need in order to begin viewing artwork with newfound appreciation. So let’s get started!

Definition Of Art Appreciation

History of art appreciation, benefits of art appreciation, types of visual art forms to explore, strategies for viewing artwork, basic elements of design and composition in art history, techniques for understanding context, developing interpretive skills, resources for further learning, tips for sharing and connecting, frequently asked questions, final thoughts on art appreciation.

What is art appreciation? It’s the ability to see and appreciate the beauty, value, and meaning of the artwork.

It’s also a way of engaging with the artist’s vision and understanding how their work conveys a message or emotion.

Art appreciation helps us develop an understanding and appreciation for different cultures, styles, media, materials, and techniques.

Learning to appreciate art isn’t just about looking at a painting or sculpture; it involves learning about different periods in art history and exploring the various movements that have impacted our culture.

This could include learning about classical Greek sculptures or Renaissance paintings, as well as more contemporary works like installations or performance art.

We can gain insight into each period by studying artists’ biographies, reading literature about them, and visiting galleries or museums where we can view their work first-hand.

Art appreciation can open our eyes to new perspectives on the world around us. It enables us to explore our feelings beyond what words alone can express and encourages us to look at things from new angles.

Developing an understanding of art allows us to experience a greater sense of joy in life and boosts our creativity too!

Appreciating art helps us become more culturally aware while sparking conversations between people from different walks of life.

The history of art appreciation is long and rich. Art appreciation has been studied for centuries, with the earliest known records from Ancient Greece and Rome.

In Ancient Greece and Rome, appreciation of art was seen as an essential part of living a cultured life. The study of art was thought to cultivate one’s visual senses and develop an understanding of beauty in the world around them.

The Renaissance period saw a renewed interest in art appreciation, as it became more closely associated with the idea of education and culture.

During this period, artists were highly esteemed for their works and their skills in creating beautiful works of art.

It was during this time that some of the greatest works of art were created by master painters like Michelangelo and Raphael.

In the modern era, art appreciation has become more accessible to people than ever before.

With advances in technology, there are now more ways to appreciate artwork than ever before – from online galleries to virtual exhibitions – making it easier for people to explore and understand different forms of artwork from around the world.

By being exposed to different forms of art, we can gain an unprecedented understanding and appreciation for what makes each unique work special.

Art appreciation can have many benefits for both individuals and society as a whole.

For individuals , art appreciation can help to increase creativity, develop critical thinking skills, and boost self-esteem. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels by providing an outlet for creative expression.

On a societal level , art appreciation can help to strengthen communities by bringing people together through shared experiences and creating a space for dialogue around important topics.

The ability to appreciate art also has implications for our physical health and well-being. Studies have shown that engaging with art on a regular basis can help improve memory and cognitive functioning while reducing fatigue and improving overall mental well-being.

Additionally, viewing works of art in person can give us an opportunity to get outside, connect with nature, and enjoy the peace of being surrounded by beauty.

Beyond the individual benefits of art appreciation, it is also important to consider its impact on the world around us.

Art is often used as a tool for social change; it has the power to raise awareness about issues that are affecting communities across the globe.

By engaging with different forms of art from various cultures and countries, we can gain valuable insight into different perspectives that we may not have encountered before.

This helps us understand one another better, build empathy towards different points of view, and ultimately lead to more tolerant societies.

Exploring the various types of visual arts can be an exciting experience. There are countless mediums to explore, from photography and sculpture to painting and drawing.

Each type of art has its own unique history and style, allowing for a wide range of expression.

• Painting stands out among these mediums as one of the oldest forms of creative expression. It is believed that cave paintings were created by some of the earliest humans, dating back as far as 40,000 years ago. Paintings have been used throughout history to tell stories, convey emotions, and document events. From oil paintings to watercolours and abstract expressionism, there are numerous styles to explore in this medium.
• Sculpture is another form of visual art that dates back thousands of years. The first sculptures were small figurines made from clay or stone that were used in religious rituals or ceremonies. Over time, sculpting has evolved into a medium for expressing ideas in three-dimensional form. Many sculptures today are made from a variety of materials including bronze, marble, wood, or even concrete.
• Photography is one of the most popular forms of visual arts today and it continues to evolve with new technologies such as digital cameras and editing software. Photographers use light and composition to create powerful images that tell a story or evoke emotion in the viewer. Whether you prefer nature photography or street photography, there’s something for everyone to explore in this ever-changing field.

No matter which type of visual arts you choose to explore, remember that art appreciation begins with being open-minded about what you see and how it makes you feel.

Observing each piece closely can help reveal hidden details you may have otherwise missed out on!

Now that you’ve explored some of the many types of visual art, it’s time to learn how to view artwork in a new light. Viewing artwork can be both fun and educational .

It’s important to take your time when viewing artwork and really appreciate the details, colours, shapes, and textures that make it unique.

Here are some strategies for viewing artwork that will help you get the most out of your experience:

• The first step is to prepare yourself mentally . Before you begin viewing any artwork, take a few moments to relax and clear your mind of any preconceived notions or ideas of what you think a piece should look like. This will help you open up to different interpretations and perspectives as you explore the work.
• The next step is to examine the artwork closely . Take note of its colours, textures, lines, and shapes. Consider how these elements work together to convey meaning or emotion in the piece. Think about what the artist may have been trying to express with his or her use of colour, texture and composition. Ask yourself questions such as: “What do I see?” “What is this piece saying?” “What feelings does it evoke in me?”
• Finally, try putting yourself in the artist’s shoes by asking questions such as: “What was their inspiration for creating this piece?” “What techniques did they use?” “What materials did they use?” Answering these questions can help give you insight into their creative process and further enhance your appreciation for their work. Through thoughtful observation and exploration of an artist’s work, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for art as a whole.

The elements of art, design and composition are integral aspects of a work of art . They can include the use of line, shape, form, colour, texture, and space.

By combining these elements in creative ways , an artist is able to create a unique visual experience for the viewer.

• Line is one of the most important elements in any artwork. It can be used to define shapes and forms or to create movement or direction within a composition. Lines can also be used as symbolism or to emphasize a certain emotion within the piece.
• Shape and form are also crucial components of any artwork. Shapes are two-dimensional figures that define an area and outline images while forms refer to three-dimensional objects that have depth and volume. 
• Colour can be used to add contrast and emotion to artwork while texture brings life to it by creating different effects with light and shadow. Finally, 
• Space refers not only to the physical areas between objects but also to the psychological depths created by their placement in relation to each other within a composition.

These elements play a critical role in how we interpret artworks on both conscious and subconscious levels.

Every element should contribute toward creating an overall unity so that viewers will take away something meaningful from it in terms of its message or purpose. 

An artist must be mindful of how all these pieces fit together when creating their work; otherwise, they risk creating something that fails to evoke any reaction from their audience at all.

Now that we have discussed the various elements of design and composition, let’s shift our focus to understanding how to look at art in a new light.

To appreciate art, it is important to understand the context in which it was created. The context behind a piece can be found through techniques such as research , observation , and analysis .

• Researching a piece of art, it is important to look for information about the artist and the time period in which it was created. This can help provide insight into why certain elements were used and what message may have been intended by the artist. Additionally, one should look for any details or symbolism present in the work that may not be immediately evident.
• Observation plays an important role in understanding context as well. Taking a closer look at an artwork can help uncover details that are often overlooked when viewing from afar. Paying attention to colours, textures, shapes, and lines can help reveal more about the artwork than simply looking at it with no further inspection.
• Analyzing a work of art is another way to gain insight into its context. Looking closely at how elements were used and combined together will help determine how they contribute to the overall message of the piece. This includes considering composition and design elements such as balance, contrast, rhythm, movement and unity. By carefully analyzing these aspects of an artwork, one can develop a more informed appreciation for its meaning and purpose beyond just its aesthetic value.

Interpretive skills are essential for understanding and appreciating art. When looking at an artwork, it’s important to look beyond the surface to uncover the deeper meaning behind it.

To develop interpretive skills, there are a few key techniques that can be used:

• One of the most effective ways to gain insight into an artwork is by asking questions . What is the artist conveying with this piece? What elements and techniques were used to create the work? Are there any symbols or metaphors present? Asking these types of questions can help unlock hidden meanings in a work of art that may not be immediately obvious.
• Another helpful technique is researching the artist and their cultural context . This can provide further insight into what inspired them, and how their work was received by their peers and society at large. It can also help put the artwork in a larger cultural context which adds depth and complexity to its meaning.
• Analyzing artistic elements such as composition, colour, texture and form can also help unpack an artwork’s message. Paying attention to how different elements interact with each other reveals subtle nuances that contribute to its overall impact on viewers.

Developing interpretive skills requires practice but is a rewarding process that helps us gain a greater appreciation for art.

There are many resources available to help anyone learn more about art appreciation. Books , magazines , and articles all provide valuable information on the subject.

Online resources also offer great tools for learning more, such as podcasts , webinars , and courses . A great starting place is to look for art appreciation classes offered by colleges and universities in the area.

These classes typically cover a broad range of topics from the basics of art history to deeper dives into specific artists or styles.

For those who prefer to learn at home, there are plenty of books available on art appreciation. Many can be found at local libraries or bookstores , while others can be purchased online.

Magazines such as Art Forum or Art in America also provide coverage of current trends in the world of art. Articles written by experts in their respective fields can be found on various websites like Artsy or Hyperallergic .

Finally, there are countless podcasts and webinars that discuss almost every aspect of art appreciation. Many of these are free and readily available with a simple internet search.

Finding the right one depends on the individual’s preferences and goals when it comes to furthering their knowledge about this field.

With so many options out there, anyone looking to explore art appreciation further will have no trouble finding something that works for them!

Sharing and connecting with art can be one of the most rewarding experiences in appreciating the artwork. To get the most out of the experience, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

• The first tip for sharing and connecting is to engage all your senses . Take time to fully observe the artwork and let it speak to you. Notice how the colours, shapes, and textures make you feel. If a painting or sculpture evokes emotion, don’t hesitate to express it. Connecting deeply with artwork can be an extremely powerful feeling.
• Another great tip is to take advantage of guided tours and audio tours when available. A guide can help lead you through a museum and provide meaningful context for each piece you encounter along the way. Audio tours can also help bring an artwork’s story to life by providing detailed information about its history and significance, and finally,
• Try discussing your thoughts on artwork with friends or family members who may have a different opinion than yours. This allows both perspectives to come together in conversation and create something new from their dialogue about art appreciation. By taking these tips into consideration, we can approach viewing artwork from different angles and gain a new appreciation for it every time we look at it.

What Types Of Art Should I Start Exploring First?

When exploring art, it’s important to figure out what type of art you’re most interested in. There are so many different mediums and styles that can be explored, from painting and sculpture to photography and digital art. It can be overwhelming trying to decide where to start, but there are a few techniques that can help you narrow down your choices.

One way to begin is by exploring the work of artists who inspire you. Look for pieces that draw your attention or evoke strong feelings in you. This will indicate what types of art you’re drawn towards, whether it’s abstract expressionism, surrealism, or something else entirely.

You may also want to research different movements and styles throughout history, such as Impressionism or Postmodernism, which could present new possibilities in terms of what kind of art appeals to you.

Another approach is to experiment with different mediums yourself. If you have access to art supplies like paints and canvas, try creating a piece of artwork in each one and see which ones come more naturally to you.

You might even find that a style or technique that didn’t immediately appeal to you reveals itself as something enjoyable once you start working with it! Additionally, don’t forget about digital media; there are plenty of free software programs available online that allow anyone with a computer the opportunity to create their own digital artwork—all without spending a penny!

No matter how much (or how little) experience you have with creating art, exploring various mediums is the best way to get familiar with them and grow as an artist. If nothing else, this will provide an excellent opportunity for self-discovery and help refine your personal tastes when it comes to appreciating other people’s artwork.

How Can I Develop My Interpretive Skills?

Developing interpretive skills is an important part of understanding art. It requires the ability to look at a piece of artwork and gain insight into what the artist is trying to express. This can be a difficult task, but with practice and dedication, it’s possible to hone your interpretive skills.

One way to develop interpretive skills is by looking for patterns in the artwork. Patterns can be anything from a repeating color scheme or shape to more abstract concepts like symbolism or metaphors.

Looking for these elements will help you understand how the artist intended the piece to be viewed and interpreted. Additionally, making connections between different pieces of art can also provide valuable insight into how they are meant to be understood.

Another way to sharpen your interpretive skills is to become familiar with different artistic styles and techniques used throughout history. Learning about different types of art and their unique characteristics will give you a better understanding of how each style contributes to the work as a whole. Additionally, studying classic works of art can give you an appreciation for the skill and creativity that goes into creating them.

By looking for patterns in artwork, making connections between different pieces, and familiarizing yourself with various artistic styles, you can improve your interpretive skills and gain a deeper appreciation for art. With time, practice, and dedication you’ll be able to see art in an entirely new light!

Are There Any Online Resources I Can Use To Learn More About Art Appreciation?

Developing one’s interpretive skills is an important part of learning to appreciate art. But with the advent of the internet, it can be difficult to know where to start. Are there any online resources available that can help someone learn more about art appreciation?

The answer is yes! There are a variety of online resources available for anyone who wants to dive deeper into art appreciation. From podcasts and YouTube videos to in-depth articles and interactive activities, these websites provide a wealth of information on various aspects of the subject.

One great example is The Art Newspaper, which offers daily updates on all kinds of topics related to art appreciation. They cover news from around the world along with reviews and interviews from leading professionals in the field. Additionally, they provide educational materials for students, such as quizzes and lesson plans.

For those seeking a more hands-on approach, there are several sites that offer interactive activities designed to help people understand different aspects of art appreciation.

For instance, Artsy provides virtual galleries where users can explore works from around the world without ever leaving their homes. Similarly, Museum Hack offers virtual tours that let people get up close and personal with some of the greatest works of art in history.

These online resources are invaluable for those looking to develop their interpretive skills and gain a better understanding of art appreciation. With so many options available, there’s no excuse not to take advantage and get started on your journey today!

What Elements Should I Look For When Viewing Artwork?

When viewing artwork, it is important to look for certain elements. By doing so, a person can gain a better understanding and appreciation of the artwork. It is not enough to simply look at the work, but instead one should look for certain characteristics that make the piece unique or special.

The first thing to consider when looking at artwork is its composition. This means looking at how the colors, shapes, and lines interact with each other to form a pleasing whole. Additionally, it might be helpful to think about how these elements convey emotion or meaning in the piece. For instance, warm colors may suggest comfort while cool colors may imply sadness.

A second aspect of the artwork that one should consider is its subject matter. This includes both what the piece depicts as well as any symbols or metaphors that may be present.

Looking closely at these details can help one gain insight into what the artist was trying to convey through their work. Furthermore, studying the context of the piece – such as who created it and why – can also provide valuable information about its meaning and purpose.

In order to understand art more deeply, it is important to pay attention to all of these elements when viewing a piece of art. Taking time to observe them carefully will help one appreciate artwork more fully as one begin to recognize patterns in composition and symbolic meanings behind images and objects portrayed in works of art.

Are There Any Tips For Discussing Art With Others?

Discussing art with others can be a great way to gain new perspectives and deepen your appreciation of artwork. However, if you’re not used to talking about art or don’t feel particularly confident in your own knowledge, it can be intimidating. Fortunately, there are some simple tips that can help make the process easier.

Before discussing artwork with someone else, it’s important to take the time to analyze the piece yourself. Ask yourself what elements of the artwork stand out to you and why they appeal or engage you. This will give you a better understanding of how and why you perceive it in a certain way. Additionally, taking notes on specific aspects of the work that interest you is also helpful for sparking conversation with someone else about it.

When talking about artwork with another person, remember to focus on whatever speaks to them as much as possible. By doing this, you may find that their observations lead you to notice things in the piece that hadn’t occurred to you before.

This can be especially beneficial when discussing more abstract works since each person’s interpretation will likely be different from the others. Additionally, being open-minded and respectful towards their point of view is essential for having productive conversations about art without feeling judged or uncomfortable.

In order for discussions about art to be meaningful and enjoyable experiences, it’s important to keep an open mind while engaging in dialogue with others about the artwork. Taking the time beforehand to think deeply about a particular piece will ensure that you have plenty of ideas and points of view ready to share during these conversations as well.

To conclude, art appreciation is a skill that can be cultivated by anyone. With the right knowledge and perspective, we can all learn to appreciate art in new ways.

By understanding how artists create works of art , and what elements make up these pieces, our eyes are opened to new possibilities.

Everyone has the capacity to gain a deeper understanding and admiration for visual art – it’s all about finding what speaks to us individually.

As such, learning more about art appreciation encourages us all to see things differently – allowing us to develop an even greater appreciation for both established masterpieces as well as emerging talent.

About the author

We are a team of creatives dedicated to sharing tips, tricks, and step-by-step guides on all things related to art and design. Check out our blog for a list of all the awesome things we post!

2 responses to “Art Appreciation: Learning to See Art and Artists in a New Light”

I never knew that appreciating art helps you learn more about its beauty while enhancing your visual senses. My brother is interested in taking his girlfriend on a date this year. I should recommend that they visit an art gallery so they’d consider installing wall art in their home!

Art has the power to move us in many ways. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy an art museum visit. (Image credit: L.A. Cicero)

How to appreciate art when you’re on vacation

If you’ve ever stood in a crowded museum gallery wondering if you were doing it right, these seven tips from Stanford experts will help.

You’re hitting up some world-class art museums this summer, maybe with kids or teenagers in tow. Whether you want to learn something, feel something, or just make it through the museum without anybody melting down, these tips will help you make the most of the experience.

Do (a little) research before you go

Some museums are like Everest. You go because they’re there. But if you go in without a plan, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. “It’s sensory overload, especially in the big museums – they’re enormous,” says Emanuele Lugli , assistant professor of art and art history. Once you know you want to visit a particular museum, Lugli says, do a quick search to get a sense of what you’re interested in, and pick a period, an artist, or a small group of works to focus on. That way, upon arrival you have some direction.

“When you’re dealing with encyclopedic museums, just having a little bit of an idea about what you want to see is going to make the experience more rewarding.”

Focus on quality, not quantity

Racing through a museum looking at as many works as possible is the way to exhaustion, not enlightenment. “A big mistake is to try to see everything, or almost everything, for a second or two,” says Alexander Nemerov , the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Provostial Professor in the Arts and Humanities. You’ll get more out of the experience by picking just a few works to look at, “for however long you feel engaged and stimulated,” Nemerov says, “keeping in mind that the work will give back to you in proportion to what you give to it.”

And don’t stay past the point that you can give the art your full attention. “With kids or teenagers especially, a key is to keep the visit short,” Nemerov says. “Thirty minutes is perfect for a small or free museum, and can produce a feeling of ‘wait, it’s all over already?’ Even for a big and costly museum, spending a max of one hour there – or one hour once you’ve found the first or maybe the only work you want to look at – is good and right and energizing.”

Look at the work before you read the card

Christina Linden , the director of academic and public programs at the Cantor Arts Center , uses an exercise many museum educators like to do with visitors before they read what a curator has written about a work. It’s three simple statements you can make in turns as a group, with kids, or silently to yourself: I see , I wonder , and I think .

“They’re about getting people to stop and think about observation, inquiry, and interpretation as separate exercises, and how they can start by just looking closely and thinking about what they’re seeing and what resonates for them,” she says. “And then moving on to look for more information if they’re interested in finding out what an expert might have said about the piece.”

Asking yourself what you’re looking at, how it’s being depicted, and the purpose of the work – is it a large piece that was made for a church or temple, or a small work meant to be a personal possession – is key to engaging with a work, Lugli says. “Do I like this?” is a valid question, too, he says, as long as you ask yourself why you like it or don’t like it. “That hopefully is going to lead to a different quality of discourse, one that allows you to understand something better about yourself, and about the nature of what you’re seeing.”

Trust your gut

“Most kids, and most adults, frankly, feel that when you’re in front of a painting, you need someone to tell you about it,” says Jeremy Sabol , the associate director of Stanford’s first-year Structured Liberal Education program. “That the primary experience isn’t you and your eyeballs and your heart, looking at a canvas, but some kind of lesson that you need from an expert, whether it’s a book or the internet. And that’s just not how paintings are supposed to work.”

Of course every cultural moment has visual cues, he says – you may be unaware that a certain color indicates wealth, for example. “But just by staring at a painting, if you spend 10 minutes in front of it, you start to have real feelings about it. An 8-year-old can have that experience. They don’t need their parents to explain it. They just need to find something that’s intriguing, and then really spend some time looking at it and trying to have a relationship with it.”

Says Linden, “Let yourself appreciate the work on your own terms, with the amount of time you have. Just look and feel and pay attention to your senses.”

Trying to see everything in a museum is likely to leave you feeling depleted. Instead, spend quality time with just a few works. (Image credit: L.A. Cicero)

Skip the masterpieces (or keep them to a minimum)

The room where Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa casts her enigmatic gaze is packed with people waiting in line to catch a glimpse of (and take a selfie with) the little glass-enclosed painting. It’s a fun place to people watch, Sabol says, but not a very good place to appreciate art.

“I’d have a hard time convincing someone who is going to Paris for the first time and is going to the Louvre not to see the Mona Lisa ,” he says. “That just seems crazy. But I can pretty much guarantee it’s going to be a meaningless experience.”

Or, as Nemerov says, “It is best not to seek out famous works, the works you are ‘supposed’ to see. In matters of art, as in so many other things, obligation is the kiss of death.”

Put yourself in the painting

One way to make an art museum meaningful for kids, Sabol says, is to have them pick a person in a painting and pretend to be that person. “No matter what painting it is, you’re going to start having weird feelings, because the people in paintings are never there by accident.”

Sabol, who has led Stanford Travel/Study trips, including a family trip to Paris last summer, offers A Burial at Ornans by the French realist Gustave Courbet as a case in point.

“It’s an intimidating painting, kind of dark and hard to engage with. So one of the things that I try to get people to see about this painting is that not very many people at this funeral seem very sad,” he says. “They’re just kind of standing around. And then there’s that little dog in the front, and putting a little dog that’s not paying attention in the front of a painting about a funeral is kind of disrespectful. The dog seems like it’s looking at a fly or something. So, whatever this painting is about, it doesn’t seem like it’s about grief or loss.”

Taking the perspective of a figure in a painting is almost guaranteed to inspire questions, Sabol says. “Who are these people? Why would you paint this? Where is the person standing who’s painting it?” Suddenly that painting just got a lot more interesting.

Go big picture

Consider how an art museum is connected to its location, and then use that information when exploring the rest of the city. Questions like why a museum is in a particular location and whether it was designed as a museum or originally built for another purpose can tell you something about the place you’re visiting, Lugli says.

“Sometimes paintings depict areas of the city, or were taken from churches or buildings or institutions around the city,” Lugli says, which may inspire a side trip to a particular site or vista represented in an artwork. At that point, Lugli says, by trying to reconstruct the setting of a work, you’re doing the work of an art historian.

“Because we’ve studied for many years, we’re just quicker at drawing parallels. But we don’t ask any different questions.”

ART APPRECIATION 1301

INSTRUCTOR:   Elizabeth Simon

REQUIRED MUSEUM PAPER

PAPER DUE: Tuesday November 6, 2007

You are required to visit the Dallas Museum of Art and write a two-page journal entry (double-spaced, typed) on your experience.   In the journal entry describe your visit to the museum as though you are writing in a personal journal or in a letter to a friend.   Select at least 1 work of art from the   collection that you respond to and/or like.   Spend time looking at the artwork.   You must provide the following information on the work selected:

Artist, nationality, life dates

Title, date

Credit line

Location in Museum (e.g. American gallery, sculpture garden)

Describe the work of art physically (as if you are describing it to a friend who hasn’t seen it).   Include information on the composition, the formal elements and subject matter. Use terms that you learned in class when appropriate.   Also consider questions such as: What do you think the artist’s intention was? Do you think he/she succeeded?   Next, describe why you like or dislike this work of art? (For example, is it aesthetically pleasing? Do you like or relate to the subject matter? Does it evoke any emotion?)

This is NOT a research paper. You are not to use the Internet or any other research tools in writing this journal entry.   The paper is to be based on your own experience viewing the work of art and the application of information you have learned in class and from the textbook.

It is required that you turn in both a hard copy (paper) and an electronic copy (diskette, CD) of this assignment.   Also you must turn in proof that you actually visited the museum (ticket stub, parking receipt, photo of you in front of the museum, etc).   The paper is to be presented in an organized fashion and held together in a folder or binder with your name on the paper, the disk and the folder/binder.

NO PAPER WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE .   BOTH THE HARD COPY AND THE DISK OF THIS MUSEUM ASSIGNMENT ARE DUE IN CLASS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2007.   NO EXCEPTIONS.   IF YOU DO NOT TURN IN A PAPER YOU WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF “0” FOR THIS PORTION OF YOUR CLASS GRADE.

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Moscow, Russia

While the Kremlin in Moscow is usually talked about as the political center of Russia, it has also been the home of a museum, the Kremlin Armoury, since 1851. The museum includes a large collection of Russian regalia, weapons, and 10 of the famous Fabergé Imperial Eggs. Several other museums, including three cathedrals and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, are also available to see with an additional ticket. If you’re interested in Russian history, culture, and architecture, then you must visit the Kremlin in Moscow!

Address & Maps

Moscow, 103073 Russia

Practical information

Follow the museum, opening hours, accessibility.

Wheelchair accessible.