Look at Art Like an Expert

In this activity, you will:

• practice looking closely at an artwork
• use details from the artwork to explain your observations and ideas
• discover how different people may notice different details in the same artwork

• Timer
• Image of an artwork

##First Look: Notice and Wonder

Museum curators are experts at looking closely at art.

They spend time noticing details, asking questions, and thinking about what artworks might mean. Today, you'll practice looking at art like a curator.

Your teacher will show you an artwork. Look at it quietly for one minute.

As you look, write down:

• three things you notice
• one thing you wonder about

Look Closer to Discover More

Curators know that looking carefully takes time. The longer they look, the more they can discover about an artwork.

This time, you’ll look at the same artwork for five minutes.

As you look, write down the answers to these questions:

• What new things did you notice?
• Did those new details make you think about the artwork differently?

What Makes You Say That?

Curators use details from an artwork to support their ideas. They also learn by listening to other people's observations and asking questions about what they see.

1. Work with a partner.
2. Take turns sharing two observations you made about the artwork.
3. For each observation, explain your thinking by answering this question:

What do you see that makes you think that?

Examples:

• "I think this scene takes place outdoors because I see trees in the background."
• "I think the weather is cold because the people are wearing heavy clothing."
• "I think this object is important because it is larger than everything around it."

After you and your partner have shared your observations, discuss these questions together:

• Did you notice some of the same things?
• What interesting details did your partner point out?
• What did you learn from your partner's observations? Did they help you notice something new or make you think differently about the artwork?

A Classroom Full of Ideas

Curators often learn more about art by listening to many points of view. Talking with a partner may have helped you notice new details. Hearing ideas from the whole class can help you discover even more.

Your teacher will invite the class to share observations about the artwork. Listen carefully as your classmates describe what they notice.

As you listen, think about these questions. Share your ideas with the class: Did a classmate point out a detail you and your partner hadn’t noticed? Did your classmates have different ideas about the artwork? What was the most interesting idea or observation you heard from a classmate?

Put Your Curator Skills to Work

Today, you practiced some important skills that curators use every day. You can use those skills during your trip to the Getty Museum.

Remember to:

• look carefully and notice details
• ask questions
• use what you see to explain your thinking
• listen and learn from other people's ideas

Every artwork is full of things to discover!

A museum professional who selects and organizes artworks in a museum or exhibition to share ideas, tell stories, and create meaningful experiences for visitors.