When I see a landscape depicted in an artwork I am immediately drawn into the world of the artist; standing in that field, climbing that mountain, or crossing that body of water. The ability of an artist to create a painting, etching, or photograph that can speak to a viewer is not an easy task whether realist, abstract, or documentary.
We often look at masterpieces created by well known artists, admiring their detail, realism, brush strokes, or color choices. But what do we, as individuals from all walks of life, bring to the interpretation of this artwork? What memories do they bring to the forefront of our minds? What people, places, or things come to mind when you take the time to look at the work closely?
While the artist may have been documenting a specific place and time in history, or as a personal experience that has sentimental value, these works of art might serve a new and different purpose in our contemporary context.
This exhibition, highlighting landscapes from the Phillips Museum’s permanent collection, is intended to provide visitors with an opportunity to look at the works and focus on their own interpretation. What do you see in the painting? Does it spark an emotion, trigger a memory, or perhaps inspire you to write a poem?
Curated by Janie M. Kreines, Curator of Exhibitions & Engagement at the Phillips Museum of Art at F&M.
What do you see in these paintings?
Have you seen similar landscapes or buildings in this region? Where?
What do you think the title of this work means?
What do you see on the horizon?
Do you consider this a landscape painting?
Why do you think the artist titled this work The Veteran?
What do you think the blue in the background represents?
What does the texture in this lithograph remind you of?
In what region of the United States do you think you would find this landscape?
What environmental process do you think created this type of landscape?
Does this painting remind you of autumn?
If so, what about the painting makes you think it is that time of year?
If not, what season does it look like to you and why?
Does this landscape painting look familiar to you?
What is a “witness tree”?
Do you think it is important to keep this piece of history? Why or why not?
Can you think of other materials that have been kept to document history? What are some examples?
For more information on witness trees click here.
What does the bark of a birch tree look like?
What do you see in the background of this etching?
What do you think may have changed since this engraving was created?
Does the perspective that the artist used make you feel like you are part of the landscape?
What is your first impression?
What do you think about the trees in this photograph? Do you know the species?
Why do you think the photographer developed this photograph in muted tones?
Where do you think this photograph was taken?
What elements within this landscape led you to this conclusion?
What was your eye drawn to first?
What do you see in this image that resembles a landscape?
What impact does the bright and busy pattern have on your interpretation of the work?
What does this photographic landscape look like to you?
Is this a calming image? How does it make you feel?
What stands out to you in this watercolor? What time of day do you think it is? What elements of the painting led you to this conclusion?
What do you think of the artist’s use of color? Does the painting portray a particular mood or feeling?
Does the inclusion of the crows change the way that you think about this landscape?
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you look at this print?
Did you see the building in the background?
What do you think the artist is trying to communicate through this work?
What do you think is happening in this Japanese woodcut print?
What details did the artist use to communicate to the viewer the environmental conditions?
What is the first thing that you see when you look at this lithograph?
What do you think about the scale/proportions used in this print?
What was your eye drawn to in this photograph?
Do you think that was the photographer’s intention?
When you look closer, what other features do you see?
What is the first thing that your eye is drawn to in this painting?
What do you think drew you to that feature, color, or position?
What stands out to you about this painting? Color, texture, composition?
What elements do you see in the foreground and background?
What do you hear when you look at this painting?
How many animals do you see? What type of animals are they? Where in the world do you think they are?
What do you think about the use of colors in this watercolor? How do they make you feel?
What do you feel when you look at this watercolor painting?
Does this plant look familiar to you? What is in the background?
What do these buildings look like to you?
What do you smell when you look at this painting?
What time of year do you think it is? Why?
Do you see any landforms and atmospheric elements in this print? What are they? What do the different colors represent?
Does this print evoke any emotions? What are they and why?
Does this image evoke any emotions for you?
Perhaps peaceful feelings, or maybe something different?
Look closely at the painting. What do you hear?
Look at the scale of the figure in the boat versus the rocks.
Is this an activity that you would participate in?
What stands out to you in this watercolor? What time of day do you think it is? What elements of the painting led you to this conclusion?
What do you think of the artist’s use of color? Does the painting portray a particular mood or feeling?
What season of the year do you think this painting portrays?
Does it remind you of a place you have been before?
What time of day is portrayed in this painting? What season of year is it?
Where do you think this mountain is located?
Does this landscape look familiar?
What do you see in the painting that has a similar feel to the Lancaster area?
Does the grayish color of the sky create a different feeling then if it was blue?
At first glance, do you consider this to be a landscape?
What do the shapes and symbols represent in this abstract work?
Does this scene look familiar to you? Why or why not?
What time of year do you think is portrayed in this painting? What led you to this conclusion?
What do you think of this book of woodblock prints?
What do you think these images were used for?
Who do you think would have owned these prints?
Does this lithograph remind you of a certain place? If so, what details led you to this conclusion? Have you been there before?
What feelings or emotions do you feel when looking at the proportions used to portray humans to the surrounding landscape? Why?
What do the colors remind you of?
What do you feel when you look at this painting?
Look at the photograph before you read the title of the work. Where do you think this picture was taken?
Do you know what building is in the background?
What year do you think this photo was taken? Why?