An Experiment in Art Appreciation

MadArchitect

Something said by Interbane in the "What is Art?" thread has inspired a little experiment. At the bottom of this post I'll provide a link to a painting by one of my favorite Renaissance painters. To participate in the experiment, all you have to do is take a look at the painting and answer a few questions. But the experiment only really becomes interesting once we've started discussing one another's interpretations...

First, some context:
Interbane wrote, "What art communicates and how people interpret that are dependant upon what the artist intends to an extent. It is very difficult if not impossible to know the artist's intent without talking to him directly. In the vast majority of cases where the artist can't offer his intention, it's up to people to interpret the art on their own.

Any individual may hold any interpretation he sees fit. But once he proposes his interpretation to another, and is in turn proposed with another person's interpretation, they either find an agreement or fight to the death. I'd say many times, people are able to agree on most aspects given enough deliberation. Their mutual interpretation would seem to be more accurate than both interpretations individually. The more people that deliberate on interpretations, the closer you come to the middle ground (liberals and conservatives cancel out kinda thing.) Some art has many interpretations which may be hard to agree upon, some art has obvious intent, and interpretations are limited to a narrow window, and some art is left open by the artist for the spectators to interpret (much fighting to the death)."

And here, my friends, is the painting in question:
The Fortune Teller, by Carravaggio.

And here are the questions:
1. What effect, if any, does the painting have on you?
2. What do you think the painting means?
3. What do you think Carravaggio intended in painting it?
4. Do you think the painter was successful in that goal?

Once you've viewed the painting and answered the questions, feel free to respond to the other interpretations offered herein. It should be interesting to see whether or not we reach any middle ground.

Edited by: MadArchitect at: 5/14/05 11:45 pm

Unknown · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:06 pm Post subject: Unknown

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