How to Enjoy the Arts During the Pandemic
Writing and Photos by Emily Chian
Painting by Gustave Dore (Art Gallery of Nova Scotia), and Photo by Emily Chian
One day this past winter, I was at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia working on an article about Althea Thauberger and fell in love with “Landscape with the Pyrenees” by Gustave Dorè. It was a large painting of expansive cliffs and snowy mountain tops. There was a pale bluish-pink sky and landscape with no other signs of life except four little deers in the distance. It was an unforgettable vista of isolation, loneliness, and grandness of nature. It was my favourite piece of art in the gallery.
I’ve been following artists and contemporary illustrators on Instagram and other social media accounts since my teenage years. When I started the new year, I gained a new profound interest in classical art through viewing articles and videos. I appreciate classical art because it can leave people feeling deep, sublime, or spiritual, or joy, sorrow, shocked, or solemn.
2020 has given many of us a lot of confusion and many headaches about things like school, work, or home routine. This has left some of us seeking a way to alleviate stress and negativity and find peace. Some of us are looking for something sincere, meaningful, pleasant, and beautiful in the world. One way to do this is to turn to classical art. Learning to see and appreciate classical art might become a relaxing new hobby you might not have previously considered.
Classical art typically involves accurate and lifelike portrayals of humans, objects, and landscapes. Artistic forms such as drawing and painting involve great attention to detail. The Renaissance period (“rebirth” in French) was the epitome of the development of classical art which began in the 14th century in Italy. The Mona Lisa, Pieta, and the Last Supper were all painted during this time. Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, were all considered the greatest geniuses of the art world at the time. They carried great technique and skill in linear perspective, human anatomy, colour, and shadow and light, which is further discussed in Da Vinci’s invaluable manual book.
Classical art can encompass truth, beauty, and reverence to God. Common subjects include heroes from myths, religious figures, and beautiful women. It can be very illustrious. You might agree that heavenly culture and thought inspired much of the artwork.
How to look at a Classical Painting
It is understandable if staring at classical painting is a struggle for you. But even if the sound of it makes you scream “b-o-r-i-n-g”, you could still give it a humble try. The Google Arts and Culture app - an organized database of thousands of images - is a convenient place to go. With everything accessible from our fingertips, there are interactive stories, online exhibitions, and reading material in this app. Or you can go to the nearest art gallery (try the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia) to browse in-person when they reopen open to the public. And it’s okay if you’ve never done it before! The world is moving a bit slower right now so what better time to pick up a new niche? Think of it like going on a treasure hunt. Many things are out there for you to discover!. When facing a painting, I find It helps to ask these five questions:
1. Who is the painter?
The painter’s name, the country, and the year the piece was made should be provided in a note section next to the artwork. Take a look at the painter’s biography through a quick Google search and think about how they must have lived when they were alive.
2. What significant events/movements were going on at the time?
Read the notes if provided. A quick Wiki search on the cultural, historical, and political background can tell you what was going on. Was it a time of kings and queens? The height of a cultural movement? Or the turn to modernity?
3. What emotion do you feel?
Look carefully at the painting. They say your first instinct is the most reliable. Observe the brushstrokes and colours it uses, and the face expressions and use of light and shadows. Brushstrokes can express the painter’s state of mind and feelings upon creation. Light colours such as white might represent concepts like innocence and purity, while black might represent darker emotions, such as despair and evil. When facial expressions are hard to discern, it’s fun to guess! While doing this you may even feel multiple emotions, such as happiness and sadness at the same time. Linger and wonder for as long as you like and appreciate its aesthetic beauty and greatness.
4. Is there a message the artist wanted to convey?
Try to guess what the artist was thinking when they painted the piece. Do they want to tell a story? What might have inspired them? Examples include depicting scenes of a rebellion, allusions to faith, everyday life, mythology, and nature. Perhaps they wanted to express concern with society and geopolitics, or the consequences of greed and lust, or joy of life. The artist could also express good and evil, honor, and beauty. What does it suggest? This can change the way you look at artwork.
5. Finally, what does this say about human experiences?
Once you delve into the amazing world of artists from the past, one thing you might learn is that some things stay the same, and some do not. You might notice clothes and decor were different. If you see wars, plagues, and natural disasters in paintings, it could help you remember that people today can survive this too.
Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash
When I look at a classical painting, these are some of the questions that come to my mind - and you should consider asking them too. I like to think that many of these paintings are hiding a secret message and the viewer gets to decipher it. Observe and critically look at the painting and listen to what your instincts tell you. When a piece of art makes you think a lot, that is what makes it fun (at least for me).
Everyone has their own interpretations of the work and since we are typically unable to ask the artist questions, one of the best parts about art is that we get to make our own conclusions.
In no time, you will probably find a favourite piece! For me, that is how looking at art becomes fun. Although the appreciation of the arts isn’t for everyone, by trying it out you may learn how to appreciate its value. Of course, these questions can be used for art from other periods as well. If you are interested in putting these questions to the test, you should visit the art gallery! They would also be able to offer more advice on how to enjoy pieces of art.