Seeing Art Through Labels: How Different Descriptions Shape Visitor Engagement in Museums

This study explores how people interact with art in museums at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Museums often use labels to provide information about the artworks on display. These labels can either give detailed background about the art and its creation or highlight the historical context. In this research, we used eye tracking technology to understand how different types of labels affect the way visitors view and engage with paintings. We studied two groups of visitors: those who are passionate about art and know a lot about it ("art lovers") and those who visit museums for leisure without much prior knowledge ("pleasure seekers"). Our findings show that different types of labels lead to different viewing behaviors. Labels with detailed art history tend to focus visitors' attention on specific parts of the painting, while labels emphasizing historical context encourage visitors to explore the painting more broadly. Interestingly, both types of visitors responded similarly to these...Show moreThis study explores how people interact with art in museums at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Museums often use labels to provide information about the artworks on display. These labels can either give detailed background about the art and its creation or highlight the historical context. In this research, we used eye tracking technology to understand how different types of labels affect the way visitors view and engage with paintings. We studied two groups of visitors: those who are passionate about art and know a lot about it ("art lovers") and those who visit museums for leisure without much prior knowledge ("pleasure seekers"). Our findings show that different types of labels lead to different viewing behaviors. Labels with detailed art history tend to focus visitors' attention on specific parts of the painting, while labels emphasizing historical context encourage visitors to explore the painting more broadly. Interestingly, both types of visitors responded similarly to these labels. These insights are designed to help museums create better exhibits that cater to their audiences, making the museum experience more engaging and educational for everyone.Show less

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Seeing Art Through Labels: How Different Descriptions Shape Visitor Engagement in Museums