Looking at Art: Seeing Beneath the Surface

The philosopher John Dewey in his book, Art As Experience, suggests that when we look at works of art “we enter through imagination into other forms of participation.” But how do certain works of art move us? What is it about a particular painting or drawing or photograph that stays in our mind’s eye?  Is it the subject matter—an image that appeals to our emotions? Is it the artist’s story—the circumstances of the work’s creation that excites our interest? Or is it something not readily apparent? Why do other works of art seem removed from our experience or strike some as incomprehensible? These are the questions that this  course will investigate.  By discussing  works by diverse artists such as Agnes Martin, Jackson Pollock, Josef Albers, Mark Rothko, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Delacroix, and Ingres among others we will seek to develop a deeper and more informed understanding of how a work of art communicates. This in-person course will include a field trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 0

You'll walk away with

• A deeper understanding of how various elements of artwork, including subject matter, artist's background, and artistic techniques, contribute to its impact on viewers.
• The ability to articulate how different works of art communicate and evoke emotional responses
• Enhanced critical thinking skills from examining diverse artworks, from classical to modern.

Ideal for

• Art enthusiasts
• Aspiring and practicing arts professionals