Developing art appreciation in students of education from different European countries

Abstract

In the framework of special didactics, students in study programmes in the field of education develop a range of skills and abilities needed for teaching the content prescribed by the curriculum. Art is one of these subjects. In a qualitative empirical research study we examined the efficacy of a method for developing art appreciation. The sample in the study consisted of students from five different European countries. Students observed J.R. Gerada’s artistic work systematically, concurrently recording their findings. The empirical study confirmed the adequacy of such an approach, since most of the students were able to experience, internalise and individually interpret the artwork.