Unveiling the world of art can be an enriching and accessible hobby. Exploring museums (virtually or in person!), watching documentaries, or simply browsing online collections can spark curiosity and ignite a love for creativity. Art appreciation can reduce stress, boost focus, and offer a deeper understanding of different cultures, the world in general, and you in particular. Start your artistic journey today.
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Discovering and Enjoying Art
as a hobby
Art is anything you can get away with.
The Medium is the Massage, Marshall McLuhan
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We curated content to familiarize you with discovering and enjoying art as a hobby and to inspire and help you get started.
We strive for accuracy, but errors may occur. Always use your judgment.
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Thus, self-relevance is a key determinant of aesthetic appeal, independent of artistic skill and image features.
Self-Relevance Predicts the Aesthetic Appeal of Real and Synthetic Artworks Generated via Neural Style Transfer
Basic lingo for orientation.
Art Styles and Movements
Prehistoric Art (c. 40,000 BCE – 3500 BCE)
The earliest known art, featuring cave paintings, sculptures, and engravings with symbolic meaning.
Ancient Art
- Ancient Egyptian Art (c. 3100 BCE – 30 BCE): Characterized by monumentality, symbolism, and focus on the afterlife. Hieroglyphics were a prominent feature.
- Ancient Mesopotamian Art (c. 4500 BCE – 330 BCE): Known for detailed sculptures, reliefs, and intricate cylinder seals depicting mythology and daily life.
- Ancient Greek Art (c. 800 BCE – 146 BCE): Emphasized realism, idealization of the human form, and balance, often depicting gods, heroes, and philosophical themes.
- Ancient Roman Art (c. 500 BCE – 476 CE): Heavily influenced by Greece but incorporated Etruscan elements. Roman artists excelled in architecture, engineering, and realistic sculptures.
Medieval Art (c. 4th century – 14th century)
A broad term encompassing European art during the Middle Ages. Primarily religious, with Christian themes in paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows.
Renaissance Art (14th century – 16th century)
A shift from the Middle Ages, emphasizing realism, humanism, and classical ideals. Notable artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
Baroque Art (16th century – 18th century)
Characterized by drama, emotionality, and the use of light and shadow. Often depicted religious themes in a grand and theatrical style. Artists like Caravaggio, Rubens, and Rembrandt are well known from this period.
18th & 19th Century Art
- Neoclassicism (18th century – 19th century): A reaction to the Baroque style, drawing inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasized clean lines, geometric forms, and historical themes.
- Romanticism (18th century – 19th century): Highlighted emotion, imagination, and nature. It often depicted dramatic landscapes, historical events, and individual emotions.
- Realism (19th century): Focused on depicting everyday life and social issues in a realistic and objective manner.
- Impressionism (19th century): Emphasized capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, with loose brushstrokes and vibrant colors.
Late 19th & Early 20th Century Art
- Post-Impressionism (1880s – 1900s): Built on Impressionism but incorporated more symbolic and expressive elements.
- Expressionism (early 20th century): Focused on expressing emotional experiences rather than depicting reality objectively.
- Symbolism (late 19th century – early 20th century): Used symbolic imagery and metaphors to convey deeper meanings.
- Art Nouveau (late 19th century – early 20th century): An ornate and decorative style inspired by natural forms.
- Fauvism (early 20th century): Emphasized bold, non-naturalistic colors and simplified forms.
20th & 21st Century Art
- Cubism (early 20th century): Fragmented objects into geometric forms to depict them from multiple viewpoints.
- Futurism (early 20th century): Glorified speed, technology, and violence, often depicting motion and dynamism.
- Constructivism (early 20th century): Used geometric forms and industrial materials to create abstract sculptures.
- Dada (early 20th century): An anti-art movement that challenged traditional aesthetics and embraced absurdity.
- Surrealism (1920s – 1930s): Explored the subconscious mind and dream imagery, often using fantastical and dreamlike elements.
- Abstract Expressionism (mid-20th century): Focused on the artist’s emotions and gestures rather than depicting recognizable objects.
- Pop Art (1950s – 1960s): Drew inspiration from mass media and popular culture, often using bold colors and recognizable imagery.
- Minimalism (mid-20th century – present): Emphasized simplicity, geometric forms, and the use of industrial materials.
- Conceptual Art (mid-20th century – present): The idea or concept behind the work is more important than the physical object itself
Term Videos
How to break the ice and make a start.
- Explore art collections and exhibitions online.
- Search for art galleries, museums, and exhibitions near you.
- Subscribe to art newsletters or install art apps for a recurring dose of art.
- If you feel a more scholarly approach might enhance your experience, explore art books and courses.
💡Tip: Become an art collector and turn your home into an art gallery – for free.
First Steps Videos
Get read-y.
Visiting the gallery has been found to relieve people of mental exhaustion, the same way the outdoors can.
Beyond Learning: Exploring Visitors’ Perceptions of the Value and Benefits of Museum Experiences
Step-by-step tutorials.
How to Set Your Favorite Artwork as Slideshow Wallpaper, Screensaver, or Lock Screen on Your Digital Devices
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Further reading.
- Self-Relevance Predicts the Aesthetic Appeal of Real and Synthetic Artworks Generated via Neural Style Transfer | Sage
- Original research: Evidence for the effects of viewing visual artworks on stress outcomes: a scoping review – PMC
- Normalisation of salivary cortisol levels and self-report stress by a brief lunchtime visit to an art gallery by London City workers : WestminsterResearch
- Influence of an Art Museum Visit on Individuals’ Psychological and Physiological Indicators of Stress – Master of Arts in Museology | University of Washington
- Beyond Learning: Exploring Visitors’ Perceptions of the Value and Benefits of Museum Experiences – The Museum Journal – Wiley Online Library
- Inner Vision: An Exploration of Art and the Brain. Semir Zeki | The Quarterly Review of Biology | The University of Chicago
- Art museums as institutions for human flourishing: The Journal of Positive Psychology | Taylor & Francis
- Frontiers | Art and Psychological Well-Being: Linking the Brain to the Aesthetic Emotion
Video Articles
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Go-tos for information.
Art Discovery, Events and Sales Platforms
- Artsy — Discover, Buy, and Sell Fine Art
- Artspace – Contemporary Art for Sale From The World’s Best Artists – Homepage
- Buy, Sell, and Research Contemporary Art Online: Artnet
- ArtRabbit is a platform for international contemporary art exhibitions and events
Art News and Publications
- The Art Newspaper – International art news and events
- ARTnews.com – The Leading Source for Art News & Art Event Coverage
- Apollo – The International Art Magazine
Art Education
- Google Arts & Culture
- Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Tate Etc. | Tate
Art Museums and Galleries Virtual Tours and Collections
- Online tours – Enjoy the Louvre at home!
- The Met 360° Project | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Home — Google Arts & Culture
- Virtual tours | Visiting | National Gallery, London
- 360 tour of Tate Modern | Tate
- How to explore the British Museum from home | British Museum
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum — Google Arts & Culture
- Video tours – Rijksmuseum
- The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, United States — Google Arts & Culture
- Collections — Google Arts & Culture
Digital Art Subscriptions
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We conclude that the gallery visit caused rapid normalisation (recovery) from the consequences of high stress.
Normalisation of salivary cortisol levels and self-report stress by a brief lunchtime visit to an art gallery by London City workers
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Get a clue.
Is discovering and enjoying art a hobby?
Absolutely! Art appreciation can be a fulfilling and enriching hobby. It allows you to explore creativity, learn about different cultures, and gain a deeper understanding of the world and yourself.
I have no artistic talent. Can I still enjoy art?
Definitely! You don’t need to be an artist yourself to appreciate art. There’s so much to learn about art history, different movements, and the lives of famous artists. You can simply enjoy looking at art and letting it inspire you.
There is so much art, where do I start?
There are many ways to begin! Visit galleries and museums near you or virtually, browse online art collections, watch documentaries about art history, or read books about popular artists and movements.
You can also subscribe to art newsletters or install art apps, for a more curated, automated, exploration of the arts.
What kind of art should I explore first?
There are no rules! Start with what interests you. Do you like historical paintings? Modern photography? Explore different styles and see what resonates with you.
Will this be expensive?
Discovering art doesn’t have to be expensive. Many museums offer free admission days, and there are countless free online resources available. You can also visit local galleries or participate in art walks.
You can even collect art and turn your home into an art gallery – for free.
What if I don’t understand the meaning behind art?
Art can be open to interpretation. There might not always be a single, clear meaning. What matters is how the art makes you feel, what thoughts it evokes, and what connections you make.
Research supports what we intuitively feel – aesthetic appeal depends on self-relevance. So, looking for a definitive meaning of a piece of art might be meaningless.
I’m worried I’ll feel intimidated in museums or galleries.
Most museums and galleries are welcoming to everyone. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or take your time exploring. Many museums offer audio guides or guided tours, too.
Is there anything I can do besides looking at art?
Absolutely! Consider taking an art appreciation class, trying a basic drawing or painting course, or even visiting an artist’s studio. There are many ways to get involved with the art world.
You can also collect art and display it in your home (even for free).
How will discovering art benefit me?
Art appreciation can improve your focus, reduce stress, and boost creativity. It can also help you learn about different cultures and develop critical thinking skills.
FAQ Videos
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Looking at art can immediately release dopamine, the chemical related to love and pleasure.
Inner Vision: An Exploration of Art and the Brain
Get smart.
Video Courses and Trailers
Get together.
- Nearby — Google Arts & Culture
- Art Galleries Near You
- Art Exhibitions Near You
- Art Walks and Tours Near You
- Art groups | Meetup
💡Tip: Search for art passes for your area.
Related Videos
The museum experience increased visitors’ feelings of pleasantness, happiness, and enjoyment and decreased their sense of wakefulness, alertness, and tension.
Influence of an Art Museum Visit on Individuals’ Psychological and Physiological Indicators of Stress
Additional advice for beginners.
- Become an art collector and turn your home into an art gallery for free:
- Save a digital copy of your favorite artwork locally, and set it as a slideshow wallpaper, screensaver, or lock screen on your digital devices.
- Subscribe to newsletters of art venues near you.
- Search for art passes for your area.
Video Tips
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