Earlier this year reading two essays caused me to pose new questions when viewing works of art. The first, by Teju Cole, Shadows in São Paulo, the second by André Aciman, My Monet Moment.
Both authors journey to find the source location of an image. Cole is chasing the source of a René Burri photograph in San Paulo, and Aciman is trying to understand the scene which was the source of a Monet Painting.
Cole asks, can we identify the location and subject of photos in the real world. Fifty years after the photo was taken, he tries and succeeds. However, his initial efforts are complicated by assuming the lens focal length was close to “normal”. For more background, click here “Men on a Rooftop“.
Aciman discovers that elements of a painting may be changed from the real world. Elements of the painting are rearranged for a better visual composition. For a look at the painting, Maybe it’s the right one ;), click here.
As these essays illustrate, when looking at a painting or photograph several questions may increase your enjoyment or understanding.
- Where is the source of this image?
- Would my eye see the same perspective, or is it wider or foreshortened?
- Are the elements of image grouped in a special way to enhance the composition?
Doug's Paws 