Blanton Museum Tour Explores Symbolism Behind Paintings

THE DAILY TEXAN
By Natalie Sullivan

Ben Shahn's "From that day on", a study in blue

TEXAS---As part of its weekend tour schedule, the Blanton Museum of Art hosted a public tour of its permanent collection Sunday afternoon, titled “Persuasion: Messages and Meanings in Art.” The tour, led by docent Connie Shortes, explored the symbolism behind a variety of artistic works, ranging from 14th century religious paintings to more modern, abstract compositions by artists such as Ben Shahn and Adolph Gottlieb. Shortes said art often serves a purpose other than just aesthetics. “Art has always been used to propagate ideas and to persuade,” Shortes said. “There’s this whole story unfolding in the paintings; there’s message, there’s meaning.” [link]