Why are Our Pictures Puzzles?

What is it about modern life that causes us to see so much complexity in the visual image? In this text, James Elkins argues that the intricate meanings that are assigned to pictures are less a matter of insight than a symptom of our culture - a kind of excessive desire for understanding and a demand for clear solutions. He contrasts the abundant writings of contemporary scholars with writers from the ancient Greeks to the 18th century, and questions why earlier writers were satisfied with describing a picture in a few sentences. In his analysis, Elkins brings a wide variety of examples to bear, including detailed accounts of some of the most contentious works in art history, including Watteau's "meaningless" paintings, Michelangelo's Sistine ceiling, and Leonardo DaVinci's "Last Supper".