Often, there is a false idea that one must be "in-the-know" to truly appreciate artworks. However, fine art opens the door to everyone. Learning how to look at and understand artworks requires us to take the time to view, identify and think.
Look at the Art
As the first step, it's necessary to take a moment to identify the artwork's general features:
● Is it a painting, sculpture or craftwork?
● Does it appear chaotic(混乱的)or organized?
● Are the colors bright or soft?
Identify the Art and Artist
Knowing when or how the artwork was made and learning something about the artist can reveal more context. We all know the famous painting Guernica is a masterpiece created by Picasso in 1937. However, if we can find out Picasso composed the painting to reflect a bombing during the Spanish Civil War, we'll know more about its anti-war meaning.
Even if the historical context of an artwork is not obvious, knowing the year of its creation offers more context.
Think About the Meaning
Use what you observed in the first two steps to think about meanings the artwork could have.
Consider what the title, the subjects, or the symbols meant to the artist when he or she created the artwork. What do the colors say about the artist, and how do they apply to the subjects in the art? For example, the owls in Lebo's works represent wisdom, but why are they so brightly colored?
In addition, ask how the art makes you feel. Many artists have specific meanings behind their art, but also encourage viewers to come up with their own explanations. Still, every explanation is not automatically correct, which is why the techniques described above are helpful in finding clues.
The next time you're admiring a work of art, keep these techniques in mind, and its meaning may unfold before your eyes.
