Sometimes the smallest part of art is the hardest: naming it. A title can change how you view the entire piece or provide more detail and insight. Other times it leaves things more ambiguous. Painting names are always a part of the artwork and message. The title is a tool for the artist, and here’s how you can use it too.
When I name my artwork, I first think about what I wanted to capture. I go into each piece with an idea in mind. There’s a theme or emotion I want to represent and emphasize. This often leads to a simple name meant to direct the viewer a bit. For example, my painting “The Gaze” consists of an eagle head looking out. I want viewers to focus on the gaze of the bird and what they feel from it. I want to help direct the viewer without influencing them too much.
On the other hand, sometimes I will simply describe the subject in plain words. Painting names are often purposely ambiguous. The joy of art is sometimes I paint something simply because I like it. In those cases I want others to enjoy it and take whatever meaning from it they so choose. Art evokes emotion in viewers, and often the most intriguing pieces are the more subtle ones that evoke different emotions in different people. For example, look at Promenade near Argenteuil by Claude Monet below. This piece alludes to different feelings between the couple but doesn’t fully embrace any. And the title is more generic, not influencing the viewer.
While it may seem like the last thought of an artist, the title of a painting is a part of the whole artwork. I encourage to you read the title and take a second glance with a new lens. Think of what it wants to tell you. Or think if it wants you to decide. You might find even more appreciation for your favorite piece.
bts