Hey Reader, 👋

Did you know that looking at paintings can help us build empathy and develop personal growth? Scientists believe that the ability to empathize is important, but not always easy to come by.

But fear not, art can help! By imagining ourselves as characters in a painting, we can activate the empathy centers in our brain and develop our capacity for understanding others.

🙌 So, let's put this theory into practice by analyzing a famous triptych by Augustus Leopold Egg called "Past and Present." The paintings show the tragic story of a family torn apart by infidelity and death.

Created in the 1850s, this captivating artwork weaves a tale that spans across time. Egg's attention to detail and deep understanding of human emotions transport us into a story that leaves a lasting impact. "Past and Present" tells a moral story of love, betrayal, and regret through a divided composition. One side reveals a happy family scene radiating with hope and togetherness, while the other portrays a broken home tainted by infidelity and despair.

At first glance, the triptych might seem like a moralizing warning against cheating on one's spouse, but there's more to it than meets the eye. Egg was part of a group of artists called the Pre-Raphaelites, who were critical of Victorian-era customs and attitudes towards marriage.

💡 So, what message was Egg really trying to convey? While Egg reminds us of the delicate nature of relationships and the choices we make, that's up to us to decide. As we empathize with the characters and imagine their stories, we can come to our own conclusions about the meaning - through rich symbolism and powerful storytelling of the finest in art.

So as you can see, art can plan a huge role in driving empathy which is a crucial soft skill in both personal and professional relationships. Whether it's through creating or viewing art, we can use art to tap into our emotions, understand and manage our feelings, and connect with others in a more meaningful way. So if you're looking to train your empathy, why not pick up a paintbrush, turn on some music, or visit an art museum? You never know what emotions you might discover.

💪 Are you up for a soft skills upgrade? If you haven't done our 5-Day Email Challenge on Soft Skills with Art then it's a good time to check it out. There we go through actionable insights and practical tips on how various skills (including empathy) can be amplified with the power of art!

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Stay curious! 💙

Artem

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