What Prompts Our Love for a Work of Art?

As part of undertaking a new class--some pre-work has included identifying a handful of my favorite paintings and analyzing them for why I love them--digging deep for what excites me about each one.

My selected favorites represent a broad range of art periods and countries of their artists' origin. In addition, there is also a range of reasons for my personal attraction to them. They include the use of light and shadow in creating form and dimension, perceived story, different textures, movement, beauty of painted fabric draping, sensitive use of line, curve and ornamentation, color, and contrast.

It occurs to me that almost everyone could probably identify some favorite pieces of art and find the same reasons for liking them--as described above. So, what makes our tastes in art so individual...such that my choices would not necessarily be yours nor yours mine?

How do we connect with a piece of art or does it connect with us? Is it the glance from the peering eyes of a portrait that captures our attention? Is it the stance of the painted person or the story we've made up about the painted scene? Is it the artist's life story or the story about the piece's journey from start to completion that draws us in? If the painting is of a place, does it remind us of one we've known, been to, or currently live in? Does the piece evoke our recall of a powerful life experience? Does it challenge a belief we sincerely hold? Does the piece overpower us and in so doing garners our appreciation? Are the colors the ones we surround ourselves with at home so it just feels good--like a warm hug? Is it of a subject that we love? Is it the wow factor in wondering how the artist made it? Is it the artist's technique or craftsmanship that stands out? Is it the quality of rebellion we sense from a piece that we quietly agree or commiserate with? Does it communicate a point-of-view we hold?

What is one reason you love a favorite piece of art? It's with curiosity that I ask.

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Cay Denise

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