I was originally going to write this blog post about the extent to which I have adjusted to life in Spain, however, I would like to focus on something else entirely. I will share an experience with you that significantly altered my view of the world forever. In an instant, I was suddenly endowed with what seemed like ancient and divine wisdom while touring the Royal Palace of Madrid. I suddenly understood the true value and meaning of art.
Throughout my time in Spain, we toured many cathedrals, palaces, and museums; all with some of the most breathtaking art and architecture known to man. While going on these first few tours, I appreciated the art for the intricacy and skill that went into it. However, that was the extent of my appreciation for it. Besides this, I regarded art as only a mere amusement; something that, at the end of the day, had no real value. After all, what value does art have in an American culture so obsessed with productivity, output, and efficiency? At the end of the day, being a painter won’t make you any money, so why even bother? This is what I used to think about art until I toured the Madrid Royal Palace.
As I was touring this palace, I gazed at an incredible painting on the ceiling in one of its many rooms, a photo of which I will include below. Suddenly, I was overcome with a whirlwind of emotions, as I began to understand what the true meaning of art really was. I realized that although we can admire art for its intricacy and the immense skill that it takes to create it, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Art is really a gateway to connect with the human spirit. It allows us to experience the feelings, attitudes, and beliefs of both the artist and the society that the artist lived in at the time it was created. By analyzing the facial expressions of the people, the subjects of the paintings, and the historical context of the paintings, we can understand human nature in a way that simply reading history books cannot do. Art, in fact, is the product of history, philosophy, religion, mythology, and many other things. Through analyzing art, one can better understand humanity, and doing this helped me better understand Spain, its people, its culture, and its history.
This is the biggest impact that studying abroad in Spain had on me, and I will never look at art the same again.
