In my trip to the museum, I noticed several commonalities in the way all of the art was displayed. Beginning with the atmosphere, there was a profound silence that permeated the galleries. Even though there were several other guests and staff members there, they all observed in silence, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere in which to appreciate the art. Next I took note of the lighting. The lighting was soft and subtle, aside from the spotlights, which shone directly on each work of art. This helped to highlight them, and draw the observer’s eyes to the works themselves.
Additionally, I noticed that paintings were displayed on blank white or gray walls, devoid of any other decoration. This also seemed to be in an effort to draw the observer’s eyes directly to the art. Statues and carvings were displayed on podiums to a similar effect.
Lastly, next to each work was a plaque stating the artist’s name, the year of production, the medium of production, the work’s title, and the donor. This is something that sets museums apart from private collections, as it helps guests to understand the context of the painting.