Here's some guidance for those more unfamiliar with the visual arts.

1. Rely - on yourself and your abilities. Most visual art is not deliberately obscure, difficult, or confusing. You are perfectly capable of reading this painting and appreciating it.
   
   
2. Read. Describe the painting to yourself and pay attention to the many details. What people or objects do you see? What story or incident is depicted? What colors and shapes are used? Are your eyes led along certain lines by the placement of people and objects? Do you recognize any symbols?
   
   
3. Research. If you have time, find out something about the artist and the artist's period of history. Does this help you understand the painting any more deeply?
   
   
4. Reflect. How does the artist's use of the different elements listed below affect you, and affect your reading of the subject of the painting?
• Color: Where do you see darkness and light, shadows, bright or dull colors?
• Balance: Is the painting 'centered' or off-balance?
• Space: Is the painting crowded or spacious? Does it have depth, or is it flat?
• Movement: Is there a sense of energy or stillness? How is that sense created?
  
  
5. Respond. How do you respond to this painting? What do you think it means? How does it make you feel? Do you think this is what the artist intended?