"Our interest in the painting grows only when we forget its title and take an interest in the things that it does not mention…”  

Françoise Barbe-Gall, How to Look at a Painting

When we look at an artwork, we are usually taken with the basic element(s)  of design. We may admire the vibrant colors that are being used or the drawing ability of the artist.   Soon after, we project our personal feelings, judgment, interpretation onto the work.  But we often neglect the role of composition and the story behind it.  There is a myriad of paths toward understanding art. The most common one is Formal analysis.  For example, a painting is made up of elements such as shapes, lines, color, and textures. The artist(s)  combines these foundational elements to create atmosphere, mood, visual impact, or emphasize iconography.  A close look at the details can help us "read" the artwork.  

Context is the next level towards a more profound understanding.  Art can reflect an ideology, an illustration of a narrative, or an expression of the artist's inner experience.  To get at the underlying story, we need to put on our detective caps and start digging.  Analyzing art is made more challenging; there can be multiple layers of interpretations to one artwork. If you like mystery and puzzle games, I think art is for you.  The more you dig,  hopefully, the more you will enjoy it.  The purpose of  my website, to foster an enjoyment of what we call  "ART." 

I have created some resources and links to get you started on your journey towards "reading"  and interpreting artworks. There is no one right way to look at art. Try a few and see where it will take you.