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Related Reading
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 What
Great Paintings Say — Old Masters in Detail
... In easy-to-read essays, the authors provide detailed
explanations of the social and historical contexts in which
these works were created.Paintings
by Fra Angelico, van Eyck, Bosch, Botticelli, Tintoretto,
Bruegel, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Tiepolo, Hogarth, Goya, Delacroix,
Ingres, Degas, Renoir, Seurat, Chagall, Rivera, and more are
broken down by section and explained in such a vivid and stimulating
way that you will never again look at paintings in the same
way.
 The
Art of the Body: For Children and Adults
A striking and unusual boardbook which teaches children
their body parts via pieces of contemporary art by acclaimed
artists, with short accompanying text that describes each
artwork for the adult reader. ... Children adore matching
the body parts together — as well as the diverse and
beautiful artworks. ... Twelve body parts are featured. They
represent pieces by the masters of contemporary art to emerging
leaders; women and men; people of many backgrounds.
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The Art of
Faking It: Museums & You
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Have you ever been to an art museum with all its pieces
of modern art, the seemingly blank canvas titled "Thoughts,"
the paintings that look like they've been splashed by your
car's rear tires when you're stuck in the mud, the patrons
gathering around that one sculpture that could very well
be titled, "Man with Michelob Light?"
If, like me, you have a slightly less than refined sense
of what makes a piece "art," then you may find
yourself a bit embarrassed when touring the local art museum.
Here's a tongue-in-cheek guide for faking your way through
it:
• Nod. When someone is spouting off the qualities
of a piece, nod your head in agreement. They can't possibly
be offended when you agree with their opinion.
• Look thoughtful. Stand in front of a painting
for several minutes. Tilt your head as if you're studying
it from every possible angle.
• Talk to the piece. When you're standing before
the canvas of blacks and reds that make no sense to you,
speak in disjointed
sentences. When someone walks by say, "It brings back
disturbing memories of my childhood." You won't be
bothered again, unless it's by security.
• Carry a notebook .
While you're jotting down your grocery list or writing a
note to your mother, others will think you're critiquing
a piece.
• Smile knowingly. Pretend that you understand
exactly what the artist of the dog's head Mona Lassie was
trying to say. If anyone approaches you and asks why you're
smiling, say, "I don't know why I didn't see it before.
It's so obvious." Then walk away, hide around the corner,
and see how long they stand there trying to figure out what
you mean.
• Think of your favorite comic strip. When someone
asks how you like the piece say, "I prefer the work
of Jim
Davis (insert your favorite comic strip artist here)."
Either they will scoff at you and tell you you're gauche
for liking Garfield,
or being just as ignorant of art as you, they will nod in
agreement.
Written by Iris Wolfe
Share your interesting museum
stories. E-mail
us! |
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On the Web
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Art
Appreciation On-line
Art Appreciation Quiz
Eyes on Art
Art Cafe
Artists' Community Museum Favorites
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Real
Works of Art
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Think you know something about art? Take
our quiz to find out.
1. What artist made cubism famous?
a. Pablo Picasso
b. Salvador Dali
c. Leonardo da Vinci
d. Prince
2. Impressionism is an art form which:
a. Uses the application of paint in small dots and
brush strokes.
b. Uses unmixed primary colors and small strokes to
simulate actual reflected light.
c. Makes people like Rich
Little tons of money.
d. Emphasizes the geometrical depiction of natural
forms.
3. Who painted the Mona Lisa?
a. Vincent van Gogh
b. Leonardo da Vinci
c. Grover Cleveland
d. Leonardo DiCaprio
4. In Grant Wood's American
Gothic, what is the man holding?
a. Bible
b. Toaster
c. Shovel
d. Pitchfork
The answers:
1, a; 2, b; 3, b; and 4, d.
Scoring:
If you got four answers correct, bravo. Your understanding
of art is "surreal." Three right? Still "impressive."
Two? Well, you could still use some "pointers."
One? You might want to study The Art of Faking It again, just
to be "realistic." |
