How to Look at Art

Art’s impact can be both straightforward and unpredictable. It can hit us immediately or linger in the wings for a while, coming over us when we least expect it. Art can change minds or attitudes, provoke anger or shock, inspire laughter or tears. It can intimidate, disconcert, pose conundrums or puzzles, instruct, or enlighten. Every work of art offers a window on society’s values and ideals, and expresses the perceptions and memories of its artist. But art presents a daunting question: How do we evaluate, explore, and respond to it? Unpretentious and engaging as ever, art historian Susie Hodge offers clear, concise tools to interpret and respond to a broad variety of artwork and artists’ philosophies. Perfect for the art lover who doesn’t love art-world jargon, How to Look at Art paves the way for encounters with art that are enriching, creativity-fueling, and fun.