National Art Gallery - Art Saturation Point

Went to the National Art Gallery and the good thing about some of the galleries in London is that they are free. That is pretty cool, like the art being for the people. This isn't a 2nd rate museum either and had a number of pieces in it that I had studied from art school.

Having seen so much 'high quality' art over the last couple of months, a couple of things have happened. First up, the whole art thing feels like it has been 'demystified', it is no longer these foriegn objects in books that I have no connection with. They are products of the time period they were created in and have a social context. Yet, they become revered when we stick them in a museum and let them 'age'.

Second, you start to become versed in the iconography and being able to read the 'symbolism' in paintings. I can look at religious paintings and start identifying stories, saints, warnings etc. Even some of the mythological subjects are becoming repetitive and it is just a different take on the same subject.

Third, you hit a saturation point. Feels more like I'm just seeing artworks now and 'ticking' the box in that I've 'seen it' - which I'm sure in about 6 months I'll be kicking myself over. Just seen so much art over the past couple of months the brain just isn't interested any more :(

Still, very fortunate to be in that position and feel that I have a good grip on the area - coming from not having a clue about art and history 2 years ago - also thinking that Michangelo, Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo were ninja turtles ... still haven't managed to find the Master Splinter :P