Lessons Through Art

Michael and I had the opportunity to take in the Monet in Normandy Exhibit when it was in Raleigh, a couple of years ago. It was quite a special event because it was the first comprehensive exhibit of its kind in the southeast. The exhibit showcased over fifty pieces of fine art from both personal and private collections. Featured exhibits included Monet's early works painted along the coast of Normandy in the 1860's along with the honeymoon paintings of Trouville. The exhibit also illuminated water gardens of Giverney Oh how I wish now that I had made the trip to Giverny while in France. The artwork was beautiful, but I gained much more from this experience than the sheer pleasure of witnessing an artistic masterpieces.


I called it my lessons in understanding through art. Monet repeatedly painted the same subjects over and over, yet none of the paintings looked exactly alike. Why is this? To under this question you must understand that Monet would spend hours at the same location at different times of day. Varying his angels gave him a new point of view from which to craft on his canvas. As a result of a change in his vantage point, he was able to paint from a new perspective.

After learning this I began to wonder how can two people see or experience the same exact event, yet interpret it differently. The answer for me is perspective. Human perspective or "point of view" is drawn from the vantage point of previous experiences, painting a picture of the events that surround us. Our perspective then becomes our beliefs.

I only expected to view and take in the esthetics of a talented artist, but life and everyday experiences give us so much more, than just with the eye. Everyday there are things to be learned from the simplest of experiences. From this new understanding of art I asked, how can I gain a new viewpoint to live more peaceably with myself and others?