Prep boys now have a new fun Art History Club at lunchtime. Miss Martin-Merchant leads it every Friday, exploring different artworks and their meanings.
She offers something new, fresh and interesting each time; this week, JMW Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire.
Ethan Eniola (Y8) insightfully concluded that Turner’s painting symbolised “the old carrying the new” and that it was “the sun setting on an era” after studying the painting in today’s session.
Ethan explained that before he came to the club, he felt intimidated and often made guesses about the meaning of art based on the painting title and its date. He explained, “I now know it is more important to focus on the little details to piece together the clues.”
Ethan was right, but happily, in art history, there are no wrong answers; each person brings their unique perspective.
Miss Martin-Merchant explains that to unravel the story behind a painting, “You need to look at the painter, their point of view and that of their patron, the period created and the narrative of the people looking at it at that time. However, your experiences, memories and knowledge will also play a role in how you view artworks.”
Encouraging more boys to join the club, Miss Martin-Merchant added, “Art History is brilliant as it builds skills such as attention to detail, curiosity and research know-how, helps historical and social understanding and opens up exciting career possibilities.”
