Close-Looking Immersion: Van Goyen’s The Square Watch-Tower

About the Class

Have you ever spent 90 minutes looking at a single work of art? It is remarkable what you start to notice—little details, individual brushstrokes, overall harmonies—when you give yourself the time and space to look carefully. In this series, we use the Barnes Method, an object-focused approach to art appreciation, to help you gain a deeper visual understanding of an iconic work in our collection. This month, we’ll unpack Jan van Goyen’s The Square Watch-Tower. These immersive sessions are perfect for both seasoned art enthusiasts and newcomers wanting to slow down and dedicate time to looking, thinking, and discussing art.

The class is online-only. More about online classes.

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Barnes classes will:

• Sharpen your observational and critical thinking skills.
• Improve your ability to communicate about art.
• Deepen your appreciation for cultures and histories outside your own.

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Barnes Method

Barnes Method courses follow the teachings of Albert Barnes and Violette de Mazia. Classes focus on rigorous formal analysis and direct visual engagement with works of art. In this method, close looking at art helps build critical-thinking skills that can be carried beyond the gallery walls.