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Is there a difference between "looking at" and "seeing" art? Is there a correct way to look at art? Working on the Docent Board of Education at one of our country's major museums, I was often asked these questions by visitors, students, friends and family members alike. 

I have observed people in museums approach art in many different ways. My own approach, or style, is to scan a gallery, and then to engage with particular works of art that speak to me. I allow the art to choose me, rather than the other way around. I walk up to them and just visually soak them in before moving on.  If I read the label on the wall next to the art, I only do so after I have spent time with the piece. 

Some museum visitors prefer to join a docent tour, rent an audio guide, and absorb the artist's whole bio. Perhaps due to the pitfalls of technology, however, many people seem to have decreased attention spans and/or time being present and undistracted in a museum setting.

Truthfully speaking, many visitors can be simply intimidated by art because they feel they don't understand it. Michael Findlay, in his new book entitled, Seeing Slowly - Looking at Modern Art,  the author makes the case that if they would just look at it for what it is, they would appreciate more than if they had known the whole artist's life story. The author argues that background knowledge is not only unnecessary but even hurtful, to truly appreciating works of art.

I don't think there is one right or wrong way to look at art and appreciate it, so long as we engage with what catches our eye and fascinates our imagination, aside from simply snapping a selfie with a masterpiece and moving on.

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We live in a time of great fascination and appreciation with mementos of the past.

Our new blog series, Ask An Expert, will address how to care for objects of value, whether sentimental or monetary, from a grandparent’s folk art painting, to your mother’s vintage wedding gown.

The Find Art Experts, Ask An Expert,  blog series will give you practical advice and provide guidelines on polishing silver and furniture, from preserving a wedding dress for future generations, to properly hanging and lighting works of art.

Ask An Expert  blogs are an invaluable guide chock full of down-to-earth tips on caring for and storing beloved family treasures. Enjoy the blog series!

How to Care for Your Paintings - Dos and Don'ts

• Store and display paintings in temperate settings, away from light sources, sun exposure, and heat sources
• Do not hang your art above a fireplace mantle, or other area of extreme heat, soot, or moisture
• Do not use picture lights directly over paintings as they cause hot spots on the painting surface
• Carry a framed painting with the art facing you, support the bottom with one hand, the side with the other
• Do not carry the painting by the top of the frame or stretcher
• Periodically check the surface for missing or loose paint, tears in the canvas, or discoloration and dirt
• Do not use a feather duster or cloth for dusting a painting

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The word itself, "re-solution," suggests we return to our shortcomings, chronically trying to solve ourselves again and again. But we'll never be perfect, so perhaps our re-solutions can involve being humble enough to shed light on our cracks -- and brave enough to repair them visibly. Here is how art can help shape our New Year's resolutions...

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The Christmas Eve That Changed Modern Art

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Naked and Afraid: Museum educators are grappling with the subject matter of art history's most iconic artworks

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According to the Knight Frank luxury investment index, as reported in the Guardian, art should easily topple wine as the top luxury investment asset this year. This is remarkable, given that fine wine values have risen by more than 200% over the last decade. 

Confidence in fine art as an investment has continued its upward trend following record-breaking purchases in the Old Masters and Contemporary categories and growing interest from Asian and Middle Eastern buyers.

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Looking for art insurers, framers, installers, and much more, for your Art Basel Miami purchase? See our ad in Art Circuits - Miami Art Season Guide 2017/2018. #artcircuits

FindArtExperts.com has the right expert for you. @artbaselmiami  #artbasel

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We now know where Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi painting, which has been hailed as one of the biggest artistic discoveries of the 21st century, and sold at Christie's on November 15 for an astounding $450.3 million, is going on public view. It will be the crown jewel of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi museum.

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