How to Read a Picture

Abstract

How to read a picture!” That seems very pretentious. As a matter of fact there are many ways to read a picture or any work of art. History has repeatedly produced brilliant scholars, earnest students, poet-essayists and artists who have given us both factual and imaginative readings of the works of the past great and small. There is some fact and fiction in them all.A picture may be read for itself alone as clearly as a printed page. Of course, there are other considerations besides the appearance of the picture as a world by itself, that add interest to the art lover's experience. Knowledge of history, for example, a familiarity with the artist's personality, life and habits, are all very important. But we can agree that there are a few simple approaches which may help the art appreciator to form an independent judgment about the visual Tightness and appeal of a picture regardless of these other facts.