I’ve never really been to a real art museum. I’ve been to history museums and science museums but never an art museum. So when i say it was a new experience, it really was. Ever since elementary school I never thought much of art. I always thought this was a result of my clear lack of artistic ability. I dreaded going to art class and hated anything close to art. Obviously I didn’t really think much of the event at the Brooklyn Museum but the fact that we as honors students had the museum to ourselves certainly grabbed my attention.

Although I didn’t particularly enjoy making art I did find some joy in certain works of art that stirred something in me. I had an innate ability to find the meaning behind art not just as paintings and sculptures but through literature, poetry and especially music. I truly understood that when walked right out of the subway station and saw the front of the museum. Looking at the museum my friends and I were taken aback by the blending of styles in the architecture of the museum. The blending of classic styles and modern architectural styles. The museum appeared to be that much more inviting and once I was indian I was able to gain a newfound appreciation of art. While my group talked about multiple pieces but one that really stuck out to me was “A Resting Place for Prisoners” by Vasily Vereshchagin. While my group was examining the painting it really took us by surprise how emotionally challenging it was. I was able to look at art like I never looked at it before. To see how perfectly the artist depicted his feelings about the situation that the prisoners were going through. It’s safe to say that this experience at the museum changed how I see art and the purpose of it.

While I may lack the ability to paint or draw I do have the ability to express myself in other ways that reflect the artistic vision that I believe humanity identifies itself with. We all have our own ways of sharing our story and the feelings that want to be heard. I’ve found a different way to view art by looking past my personal feelings towards it and being able to understand what the artist wants to say.