Why This Matters

Lydia Crooks I really enjoyed taking Intro to Art while in Spain, as it helped me appreciate many aspects of art and architecture. Examining the elements and principles of design such as value, contrast, and rhythm gave me a better understanding of how the aspects work together to create a cohesive piece of art. Not only that, but participating in this course as both a student and a traveler allowed me to experience a new culture.  The top photo is a picture of the ceiling in the Royal Palace of Madrid. It is a beautiful, ornate ceiling that truly is a work of art. This was one of my favorite things that I saw on the trip. I loved the shapes of the arches and circles, the gold furnishings, and the gorgeous painting, which has an incredible amount of depth. The palace was a beautiful building with so much amazing art! When we went to the Prado Museum in Madrid, I was very excited to see Las Meninas, a painting by Diego Velázquez.   Having learned about the painting's fascinatin...