The Shy Museumgoer

ART + HISTORY

Here it’s polite to stare

An oil painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir depicting a group of friends relaxing on a sunlit balcony overlooking the Seine river. Some of the figures sit around a table cluttered with wine bottles, glasses, and fruit. Other people are standing. Everyone seems to be staring at someone else. On The Shy Museumgoer website, the painting is a clever play on the popular phrase "It's not polite to stare" because the website encourages staring — or "close looking" as it is commonly referred to among museum professionals.
Detail of Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881)

When we look closely at a work of art, we take with us something we didn’t have before. We carry with us the artist’s way of looking at the world. Why is this valuable? Because it expands our appreciation for the beauty and diversity of human experience. I hope you enjoy The Shy Museumgoer – named one of the “20 best art history blogs and websites to follow in 2026.” You keep reading, I’ll keep writing.

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