How to Talk about Art
You may not know your Lucian from your Sigmund, but you can still hold your own at the art museum with this conversation guide.
You may not know your Lucian from your Sigmund, but you can still hold your own at the art museum with this conversation guide.
Portrait, Landscape or Still Life?
Are you looking at a person (portrait), place (landscape), or thing (still life)? Get off to a good start by using the correct term instead of calling the piece, "a picture."
Form and Line
Shading and texture give an object form, and generally make a piece look realistic. Talking about line is another way to discuss the shaping of the objects in the piece. Are facial features well defined and detailed (if you're discussing a portrait), or more subtle? Form and line also give an object movement or a sense of being static. Use your intuition. It's unlikely that a bowl of fruit will have much movement.
Negative Space
When you've said everything you can say about what's in the painting or sketch, talk about what's not there — the negative space in the piece.
Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
Natural or Surreal?
Take a look at the composition of the piece — aka where the people and objects (the "content") are placed. If they're shaped or interacting with each other in an unrealistic way, you can safely categorize it as being surreal.
Realism, Impressionism, Expressionism, or Abstract Expressionism?
Is the artist attempting to make the content of the work look real, like a photograph? If so, mention the artist's attention to detail or technique in creating a realistic image. Lucian Freud's nude paintings are a good example of realism.
Impressionistic pieces will have visible brush strokes, movement, and an emphasis on light in the composition. Take a look at the paintings of Monet and Renoir, and you'll be able to recognize an impressionistic piece instantly.
If the artist has created the image using blurry brush strokes or has created a composition, like a bowl of fruit, entirely out of geometric shapes, it's safe to ooh and aah over the artist's interpretation of reality and label the technique as expressionistic. Look to Munch ("The Scream") to see what expressionism is all about.
If you're discussing a piece and secretly thinking "I could have painted this when I was 5," you're looking at Abstract Expressionism. Jackson Pollock's pieces and your 4-year-old nephew's doodles are good examples of Abstract Expressionism.
From cubism to minimalism, there are dozens more specific art movements, with many artists fitting into more than just one category, so don't sweat it if someone starts throwing around terms you've never heard before.
Get Real
Once you're all out of Art History 101 vocabulary, just give your honest opinion. Whether you love it, hate it, or just don't see what the big deal is, the most important thing is that you're thinking about it and that it makes you feel something, even if it's disdain. Trust us, your art museum companions probably don't know much more than you do. 'Fess up to your limited knowledge and they'll likely breathe a sigh of relief that they're not the only ones faking thoughtful nodding while mentally writing up their grocery list.
-
Taylor Swift Matches Glitter Freckles to Her Metallic Chiefs Manicure
Oh, and her red lipstick is back.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Taylor Swift Returns to the Chiefs Stands in Fall Plaid
Plus a sky-high pair of boots.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Why Fans Think Drama May Be Ahead for the 'Love Is Blind' Season 7's Ashley and Tyler
The marketing director and account manager/military veteran have had the most blissful coupling thus far.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Bow Down, Y'all: Beyoncé Is the First Black Female Artist with a Number One Country Song
And it has to do with her country hit!
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
By Andrea Park Published
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
Here's everything we know on the upcoming episodes.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
The 65 Best Musical Movies of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell Last updated
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy Last updated
-
35 Tasteful Nude Movies That Feel Like Art
Steamy and sensual, but in an elevated way.
By Kayleigh Roberts Last updated