Tags
artists, Barberini, Bernini, Landscapes, NGC, Popes, Richard Wilson, Rome, Urban VIII
With the New Year I am preparing monthly a series of mini-lectures (10 minutes) on art works I select in the National Gallery of Canada. With the works selected and as a Volunteer Docent, I present these works between 11am and 1pm during the week on days when I am on duty. I am not the only one doing this, there is a group of us volunteer who throughout the week will present works.
Now the public who listens to these presentations are usually over +50 some not many are -35 but that is rare. What I always wonder and what I would like to know is this; Can you tell me if you were my audience, what is it you would like to know about the artwork? Your personal knowledge about art or artists or art history is not necessary, audiences come to learn or simply to enjoy themselves.
A) Do you want to know about the artist and his life (a short synopsis)
B) Do you want to know about the person in the picture or the sculpture? The history, the myth or who this person was.
C) Do you want to know about the technique or school which produced this artwork?
D) none of the above. I just want to hear in general about art.
E) I would prefer if you just gave me hints or general info and let me discover the piece by myself.
created 1763.
Created 1632.
In January I am presenting 2 art works, one is A distant view of Rome from Monte Mario by Richard Wilson
Marble bust of Pope Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Both works are from a different age, the Bust of Urban VIII is from the Baroque Period, the Age of Princes, whereas the landscape is in the Italianate style much in fashion then in England, some 130 years separate the two artworks.
If you wish to reply just tell me which would apply to you A,B,C,D or E with a comment. I thank you in advance for your reply.
Larry Muffin At Home 
just seeing these two pieces, I can easily say the first being a landscape I’d like to know about where it was and more about the artist..the statue, I’d like to know about the sculpture but really would want to know about the subject..who ? and his history..and then the artist’s life too..I have some great art books(got them for my nephew who was an artist)and I’m always pretty much interested in the subject …I do know one thing..I’d give anything to be one of the people in that group being taught by you..<3
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I’d like, as an audience member, to hear a bit on A, B and C, all three. But focus the most time on whichever of those three areas is the most famous and accessible aspect of each particular art work. That’s my two cents worth!
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I would want A-C as well. I suspect you have to ‘listen to the audience’ as to their attention span and interest. Have A-C ready but ditch things if they are falling on deaf ears. Cast not pearls before swine ?
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Indeed I do have to listen to them and to their attention span, which is terribly small. It seems the interest of any audience can only be kept if you allude to something salacious. Otherwise people have lost for the most part the sense of wonder.
Indeed well said, cast not pearls before swines.
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And that includes impudent piglets
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Oh! that riff raff! Indeed impudent.
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If I am doing a tour, I want to know a,b & especially c. If I’m in the mood to discover the piece on my own, I’m not doing a tour with a docent. Depending on my mood the day I arrive I decide which I wish to do. One day when I make it to your fair city, and you will know in advance, I want a personal tour with all of the details. 🙂
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thank you for your comment, it would be my pleasure to show you the NGC.
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I want A, B & C too. I only briefly studied art history so I appreciate anything I can learn about the piece, the artist, technique and the influences. I’m like a sponge when it comes to art. I want to know everything but am too lazy to do my own research. I always get the audio tours at the Denver Art Museum. I’m sure your research will lead to a most interesting discussion and tour. I wish I could be there to experience it live. You put so much detail into your posts that I always find interesting and educational. I’m sure your talk will be an audience pleaser.
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thank you! Because I love the museum and the art in it, I always get a kick at helping people discover a piece. It is fun to see their amazement at something they thought they knew but now discover again.
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Would love to hear a story behind the painting or work of art. Something that will help me relate more to it.. Not so much about the artist or the model.. More about the era it was created, how people thought about life at the time, if there was talk about the piece of art…
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People love to hear stories and they retain the information. So I’d say, stories about the work and/or artist would be the first interest. Then tell them something of how this particular work fits in context with others of the the style (i.e. how does it fit with others of the same era or how does it break away). My 2 cents worth.
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Actually, A, B and C would be totally awesome. If you do not have time for all three, the any combination would also be great. Thanks Laurent!
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thank you, if you are in Ottawa please let me know.
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Sorry it’s taken me so long to comment on this.
I’m always interested in a biographical sketch. What aspect of their personal history informed their work? In particular I like to know about the level of success or recognition they enjoyed in their life time.
I’m not usually too interested in information about the subjects unless it is figurative and the person is significant in some historic context. (I don’t much care about the names of Picasso’s mistresses.) I am interested in any provenance info available. IT was commission by X as a gift for Y.
I’m very interested in knowing the dates, whether it is an earlier or later work. Is it considered an important piece within the artist’s body of work?
I like to know about the medium or technique is it is not immediately apparent. I definitely like to know the school or movement the piece represents…or represents a reaction to. This needs to be at a very superficial level however, as you note, the audience is diverse and your time is limited. Too much info can be overwhelming in a museum where this is just one of the pieces they’ll see.
It wasn’t one of your questions but, since I understand you get to select the works yourself, I’d like to know why you chose it…what about it is compelling for you.
Hope that helps.
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In reply to your question I walk the galleries a lot and look at all the paintings and sculptures. I have chosen so far European works from the 18 and 19 centuries. They appeal to me and I am interested in learning more about the artists and their world.
I see an historical connection to our world today and try to connect the dots so to speak. I like painters also who are not so well known of the public in general. Couture, Doré, West, Wilson, Bronzino or Cranach the elder. I do not care much for Da Vinci, Van Gogh or Michaelangelo, all a bit to common for me.
I may eventually move to modern or abstract art but this may be later as a lot of visitors are not so interested in abstract or contemporary art and far more likely to tell you that they either do not agree with what you say or simply not interested in listening to what you have to say. It is a case of what is obvious is so much more easy to accept. Though I have noticed even in such cases people may reject out of hand what I say because it clashes with their beliefs.
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