Ask your fellow visitors what they think. If you’re looking at art in a gallery, read the wall text at the side of the artwork. I look at the colour (what sort of colours are used? bright, primary colours or more subtle shades-does the palette evoke any strong emotions? Does it remind me of anything else?) I look at the brushstrokes (are they visible? Are they large or small? Does it look like they were made quickly?) Is the painting big or small? Why might it have been created? I look at what, if anything, is being depicted (what is it? Do I recognize it? Does it remind me of anything-in history, current affairs or even in my own life?) More generally, does the painting as a whole remind me of anything else (another artist perhaps or a piece of music or a feeling or emotion.) These are the sort of questions an art historian will ask when confronted with an artwork. It takes a young child to tell the truth-“but he has nothing at all on!” An epiphany! “Listen to the voice of innocence” exclaim the Emperor’s subjects. When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his “new clothes” everyone compliments the beautiful new clothes-no one dares admit they can’t see anything. To everyone else, the clothes appear invisible. Two weavers promise a lavish and magical suit for the Emperor that can only be seen by those who are clever and accomplished. When talking about the challenges of understanding art, I’m often reminded of the Hans Christian Andersen story "The Emperor’s New Clothes". "Everyone is equal in front of an artwork and there are no wrong answers" Everyone is equal in front of an artwork and there are no wrong answers. There’s a concern that other visitors may be more knowledgeable and that everyone else there understands what the artworks mean. Even though a lot of our art galleries and museums are free in the UK, many people are put off visiting for fear that they won’t understand the art on display.
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