Observing art is an art in itself, something not everyone masters. Instead of merely asking about a painting, such as What colors are used? or How does it make me feel? you can delve even deeper. Below are 40 profound and intriguing questions to ask yourself in order to get to the core of the artwork:
- The artist’s true message, the intention behind it, and the genuine impact it has on you
The importance of asking questions about art
“The artist must ask questions of the world instead of providing answers.”
Looking at something is one thing, but by consciously asking questions, you delve deeper. In museums, it’s customary to briskly pass by the multitude of artworks. It’s not necessary to linger at every piece, but for those that are worth it, some questions will definitely help you understand its motif and what you feel about it.
You can pose these questions for any type of artwork you choose.
40 Good Questions to Ask Yourself When Looking at Art:
The first impression is crucial; it determines whether the artwork appeals to you and if you want to spend more time observing it. These questions delve into that initial impression, aiding in a more objective understanding of the artwork:
1. What elements catch your attention within the first few seconds?
2. How would you describe these aspects that caught your attention initially? Grand, beautiful, detailed, etc.?
3. How does the composition guide your eyes through the piece?
4. What did you not notice in the artwork during the first impression?
5. In your opinion, what was the artist’s intention in creating this piece? Does it align with what initially caught your eye?
6. What is the significance of the title in understanding the artwork?
7. Does the title make sense to you when you look at the piece for a bit longer?
8. What cultural or personal narratives are embedded in the piece?
9. How does the scale of the artwork impact its meaning?
10. What symbols or metaphors can you identify in the artwork?
11. Would you interpret this artwork differently if it were in a different location?
12. Do you see influences from different art movements in this work?
Questions about Technique:
Artwork doesn’t always belong to a specific style period. It’s interesting to use the following questions to understand what the choices and possible combinations might mean:
13. Which technique that you’re familiar with immediately catches your eye?
14. Do you think this technique or style suits the message, if known?
15. Are there aspects of other styles noticeable in the artwork, and were they intentionally used?
16. What do you think of this combination?
17. If so, how does the artist use light and shadow to create depth?
18. How does the artist use texture to enhance the visual experience?
19. How do you think the artist handles symmetry or asymmetry?
20. Do you see repetition of themes in this artist’s work?
21. Do you notice a repetition of certain forms, and if so, what do you think this adds?
22. Do you see traces of experimentation with new techniques in this work?
23. How is the technique used to convey a particular atmosphere or mood?
Questions about the artist:
“I search. I always search. I will keep searching until I find out what it is that I am searching for.”
The artist’s motive is sometimes unmistakable, but often the artwork and its motive are as abstract as can be. Instead of jumping to conclusions, it’s helpful to ask these questions to ensure nothing is overlooked:
24. To what extent do you think the culture and time in which the artist lived influenced this work?
25. To what extent do you think the artist was aware of the audience when creating this work?
26. Knowing the artist, do you consider this a successful piece from him or her?
27. Which elements of the artwork or the artist’s motive do you find original and well-executed?
28. Do you think the artist deliberately deviated from conventions, and if so, why?
29. Do you think the artist deliberately played with the audience’s expectations?
Questions about Subject and Motif:
After examining the objective elements, it’s beneficial to spend some more time delving into the subject and background of the artist. This shifts the focus more onto yourself, considering what the artwork evokes in you and how the surroundings may influence that.
30. What situation, emotion, or thought does it evoke in me upon first impression?
31. Are there texts, images, or other aspects that resonate with me because I recognize them in my own life?
32. What in the artwork leads me to speculate about the subject or motif behind it?
33. Would the artist have wanted to convey that very clearly, or perhaps focused more on an abstract meaning?
34. How would you interpret this artwork in comparison to other works in the same space?
35. If you already know the artist, what aspects of their style come forward in this artwork?
36. If you are in a public space, do many people stop and contemplate this artwork?
37. What can be inferred from people’s reactions?
38. Does this reaction, positive or negative, influence your opinion of the artwork?
Last Questions:
39. What meaning and feeling do I associate with this specific artwork?
40. Does this align with the artist’s description or thoughts?
Art is not meant to have one meaning
While there’s almost always a description accompanying the artwork in a museum, that doesn’t mean that it has to influence your choices and findings. Sometimes, it’s preferable for the artist not to reveal much about their intention.
Especially in contemporary art today, it’s up to the spectator to give an interpretation. In traditional art, reality was captured with some imagination, and the intention was to precisely paint what was meant.
Conclusion:
The questions about art mentioned above are intended to stimulate more thought. Sometimes, a single question is enough to arrive at a satisfying answer. Each artwork is unique, and sometimes, especially with minimalist pieces, it may be challenging to answer every question.
