Looking Closely

A Monet print hangs over my desk: "The Artist's Garden at Vetheuil." I have had it for three years. Two weeks ago I paused to look more closely at the figures on the steps, not just the child in the foreground. One week ago I sat in front of the original at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., enjoying its color and texture in a way that can only be appreciated in person. Five minutes ago I learned that the central figure is not, as I have always thought, a little girl by a bench. It is Monet's young son, with a wagon.

I will be the first to admit that I am an untrained amateur when it comes to art. I need help. I need our friend Monte the artist to help me see what I am seeing. I need a good field guide to tell me what I should expect. I need to take the time to see things in person. Once there, I need to take the time to look more closely. This portion of our website is as much for me as for anyone else. It reminds me to look, and to look more closely. As Gary Collins wrote, "To me, the purpose of the arts is to introduce people to life in all its breadth and complexity and thereby to find oneself, others, the world and God more fully."

Bob