Journal Entry 3: The Raclin Murphy Museum of Art and Slow Looking Practice

I chose to practice slow looking at the Raclin with a religious piece. The work I chose called to me because I'm very used to mediveal works of religion. But this one was not. When I sat down I resisted the urge to look at the plaque next to it. I assessed the work. I knew the work depicted Mary and the angel Gabriel telling her she was pregnant (The Annunciation). I knew it was in Mary's private chambers. I analyzed the work next. It was different than other Annunciation works. The colors were very bright, Mary looked very youthful with rosy cheeks and light yellow hair swathed in purple, pink, and cyan. Even the angel Gabriel looked youthful. Based on the coloring of Gabriel and Mary, as well as the very lush bedding and works near the ceiling depicting naked figures I assumed the piece was Italian. I assumed because of my previous knowledge and perspectives and because of the settings. I however couldn't recall what the dove near the top of the bed symbolyzed and where the setting outside of the door depicted was. But using this "bias" or previous knowledge, I was correct in the second looking. It was an Italian work, which helped me better match the architecture with 16th centuey Italy. As well as the colors. 

To be completely honest, I was going to choose a Fragonard piece. Not just because his works have so much symbolism and hidden meaning, but because he's one of my favorite artists. However, through page 54 to 56 I took the title of the section "Seeing What We're Told to See" to heart. So instead of choosing a Fragonard piece I knew was going to be ridden with hidden meanings, I went to the MET's website and with my eyes closed, chose a random work and looked at it without reading the title first. Applying the first step ("Look First") to the method on page 56!! I noticed the huge vase filled with flowers of all different kinds. Although beautiful, the woman isn't looking at it. She's looking away, perplexed. Her hair is in a cap... so is she married? Is she mad at her spouse and therefore he bought her this huge vase of flowers that must of been very expensive to apologize? Although she looks perplexed, whether at her spouse or not, the flowers are still healthy. And clearly watered (the half filled water pitcher next to the flowers).Will she give in and accept his apology? With that being said, I checked on my laundry and thought more about the painting and my own opinions that might effect my viewpoint on it (aka my messy love life). Then I looked again. The flowers are fuller to the right (where the woman's sitting). It's as if the flowers are caressing her, maybe in a way trying to apologize (if the apologetic husband theory is true). The true image of the work is called, A Woman Seated besides a Vase of Flowers (Madame Paul Valpincon?) by Edgar Degas. According to the description of the work, the juxtaposition of the woman and the flowers is done to capture a slice of life moment. The woman being Dega's friend's wife. Although it wasn't stated if she was mad or not, my analysis on her being married was true!! I think my own outside opinions also impacted my analysis, which was interesting to see!