Learning to See
“No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.” - Oscar Wilde
J. Peeler Howell, Editor
I encounter quite a few comments that are words to the effect of “I don’t know anything about art.” That’s understandable. I suppose to certain people the “art world” can seem rather obtuse, esoteric, and to quote Ferris Bueller, “snooty.” But to quote Basil Hallward, the painter of the picture of Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde’s novel, “What is it but canvas and color?” But when Basil steps towards the canvas with his palette knife to destroy the painting, Dorian leaps up and cries out to the painter, “Don’t Basil, don’t! It would be murder!” So, what should we think about this, and how or why should we think it? Well, there are elements of truth in all the above.
"The artist uses the canvas and color, or marble, or cardboard, or pencil to assemble something to be presented and considered. That’s really all. Consideration. Start there."
Not “knowing” anything about art is fine. It’s an exciting place to be. There’s so much to learn and so much to look forward to experiencing. World famous images of which only one exists. It’s a rush to stand in front of Monet’s Water Lilies and be in front of what the world considers to be a masterpiece. This survivor of canvas and color masterly manipulated by a genius. I stood in front of Monet’s Water Lilies in the MOMA this last week. The museum was crowded and busy. And loud. But in the room that houses these paintings in the middle of New York City, people become quiet. Subdued. Reverent. Canvas and color, yes. But the assembly of the canvas and color elicits a reaction in the viewer; in all of the viewers together in this room. A collective reaction. The painting conveys so much: tranquility, serenity, beauty, reflection, and I think, most importantly, consideration. The painting was painted to be considered.
To the novice, I think this is the most important part of beginning to look at and enjoy looking at art. The artist uses the canvas and color, or marble, or cardboard, or pencil to assemble something to be presented and considered. That’s really all. Consideration. Start there. If you like it, great. If you love it, great! If you hate it, fine. I hate a lot of art. But I love a lot of art, too. And I think this should alleviate any intimidation in the viewer. Don’t worry about the snooty. Go, look, like, love and hate. Have an opinion. Feel something. Consider what you’re looking at. Start there and you’ll be surprised at what you already know.
Art is very much alive. While Dorian Gray remains beautiful and youthful, his portrait, hidden away, ages hideously. The painting in the novel truly is alive, but to destroy any beautiful painting would be murder; there is so much life to be gained from them.
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