art is to be felt and not understood

A common excuse for avoiding art is the fear of not understanding it. Well, the good news is that you do not need to understand it. Art hits much better when you just feel it.

Exhibit: Goya’s Red Boy. Just breathe and see how it makes you feel. Do not overthink. Look at the frame, the boy, the clothes. Does it remind you of somewhere? Do the eyes remind you of an old friend? Are you scared for the pigeon? Do you find the cats amusing?

Whichever you may be feeling from the above is a correct understanding. Do not let these gatekeepers of art make you look away from all the beauty in the world. It is yours to look at, gasp at, disgust at, and interpret.

I hope that next time you come across a piece of art, you pause, appreciate its beauty, and carry on with your day—just a little lighter.