A Brief Review of Artsy's Educational Features

Artsy is a great resource for learning about art. Here are some simple tips to get started:

Related Art Search. Search for an artist, see related artists. Search for an artwork, see related artworks. Click on another artwork, find yourself serendipitously looking at a related work you never expected to see. Comparison--seeing similarities and differences--is arguably the essential tool of art education. The Art Genome Project, which identifies the shared characteristics of artists and artworks, allows related art search to happen. 

Definitions. Almost all of the genes (art terms) found on Artsy are defined in an approachable way, with examples. Learn as you search and gain a vocabulary for understanding art history.

Browse. At the top of your screen, click Browse. Look through a curated selection of genes. Learn about contemporary art.

Artist Biographies. Learn quickly about an artists' life and work. 

Zoom. Almost all Artsy's artworks are high resolution. Click on any artwork and find things you never noticed. Start with the Mona Lisa.

View in Room. One of the principal frustrations with viewing art online is scale. Click on any artwork and see how it looks in a room. Start with, say, a Vermeer.

Explore the history of a term. Sort any gene by artwork year. See how it changed over time. Collage is an interesting place to start. Or look at the ways Documentary photography has been practiced over time.

What would you like to be able to do on Artsy? Send us your thoughts or tweet to us @artsy.