STAGES OF UNDERSTANDING: THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT IN ITALIAN ART

In this essay, definitive pieces of Italian art are considered and then grouped into one of three categories of context as defined by the author: no context, viewer-synthesized context, or ultimate context. The author will illustrate each category of context by first analyzing each artwork, then explaining how the context in which the piece is displayed has an effect upon the impact and comprehension of the individual, based on his or her level of previous knowledge. This will demonstrate the usefulness of these categories to interpreting works of art.