In what ways and to what extent is an understanding of historical context important in approaching
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It is perfectly possible for a person to appreciate works of art such as David's without any understanding of history at all. In all art gallery's there will be some at least of the viewers who have no idea of this history and yet still appreciate the art.
As History, Classicism & Revolution states: "We can appreciate the arrangements of colour, light and shape in their own right," (Derek Matravers, 1997, p.164). We look at a painting's lines of perspectives, tonal range, shapes and viewpoint and use these to analyse the painting.
A historical approach can add a lot more to the viewing experience of it though. Asking questions such as:
1) Why did the artist paint the painting, was it a commission; did it reflect something in his or her own life; is it political? What did the artist's contemporaries think of it?
2) How does the art relate to what was happening in the art world of the painter's time? Was it entirely the artists 'work' or was it governed by other events, trends and traditions?..