The art of seeing

An eye for detail not only helps us appreciate art better, it can also enrich our daily lives. How can we learn to really see well? Journalist Renate van der Zee deep-dives into how we can learn to look and see better.

“If you consciously focus on some details, you will see much more than if you just look around a bit,” says Dutch professor of cognitive psychology, Stefan van der Stigchel. He also carries out research into attention processes, and wrote the book How attention works – Finding your way in a world full of distraction. “Our brain can’t process all the information we’re getting, so we always have to filter it,” he explains. “And then you have two choices: you can let your attention be guided by everything that’s going on around you — for example, when someone enters a room, your attention goes there. Or when a painting in a museum has a lot of bright colors, it attracts your attention. But you can also direct your attention yourself by focusing on something consciously. On the beautiful details in the painting for example. I think looking at art can help you become aware of the fact that you can direct your attention. And that you see more that way than when you allow yourself to be led by the outside world.”