Artists can be pretty brilliant. Most of the time it is very clear what we are suppose to look at in their art. It's fairly straightforward what we are to see or recognize--the focal point is usually obvious.
However some artists have been known to cleverly hide details within their work.
William Merritt Chase - Hide and Seek 1888
We recently looked at this artwork. The artist, Giuseppe Arcrimboldo, created a work that has a hidden face when the painting is rotated upside down.
Let's look at art where the artist has hidden something for us to spy in their art.
Hidden Behind Objects
Henri Rousseau never visited an actual jungle but his paintings would make you believe that he spent time in the heart of the jungle forest. Let's go for an adventure looking for tigers and monkeys hiding behind large tropical foliage.
Tiger in a Tropical Storm (Surprised!) 1891
This was Henri's first jungle painting.
Looking at the painting above, it's hard to tell that Henri never left France. Henri would study images of jungles in books. He would make visits to the zoo and botanical gardens.
Two Lions on the lookout from the Jungle
The next artist, Rene' Magritte hid portraits behind objects like apples, birds and flowers. He was a surrealist and created dream-like images, things we would see in a dream and not in real life.
Man in Bowler Hat
In the painting, The Son of Man by Rene, he partly hides a face behind an apple. Renee created this self-portrait. He said, "we always want to see what is hidden by what we see."
Still You Bloom in This Land of No Gardens, 2020. Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Njideka hides figures in the middle ground behind a plant filled foreground
Hidden in Plain Sight
A a still-life of a snack may just be more than meets the eye.
Over 400 years ago Clara Peeters painted, Still Life with Cheeses, Almonds and Pretzels 1615. Dutch artist Clara Peeters was among the most talented still-life painters of her day. Pay attention to the handled jug and butter knife.
Many Dutch artists of the this time painted lavish arrangements of fancy foods, drinks and fruits usually on silver and gold plates. At first glance this still life features an array of cheeses, almonds and elegantly twisted pretzels--more common foods. 
In the reflection of the ceramic goblet's pewter lid, Peeters carefully rendered her self-portrait, accurately even on the curve of the object.
And her signature appears "carved" into the silver butter knife.
The artist Jan van Eyck left us many clues in this wedding painting he made nearly 600 years ago. Jan's Arnolfini Portrait includes many details that symbolize wealth and this couples marriage.
" the small convex mirror on the wall behind the newlyweds, which shows two additional figures entering the room. The groom raises his arm in an a greeting, a gesture that is returned by one of the men in the mirror. Above the mirror it is the artists flowery signature: "Jan van Eyck was here." Even though there are many clues this painting still leaves many unsolved mysteries.
Seated in a garden of what looks to be wild roses, the 44th president of the United States is surrounded by floral symbolism meant to tell the life and history of the nation’s first African-American president.
Artist Kehinde Wiley painted each flower to relate to a portion of Obama's life.
The purple African lily symbolizes his father's Kenyan heritage
The white jasmine represents his Hawaiian birthplace and time spent in Indonesia
The multicolored chrysanthemum signifies Chicago, the city where Obama grew up and eventually became a state senator.
Is it Really Hidden?
Colorful letters and numbers hidden in the overlapping of Jasper Johns work
Hidden Inside
Transformation Masks are worn by dancers during ceremonies but what is hiding inside?
The outside of the mask.
Hidden inside
Worn during a potlatch, a ceremony where the host displayed his status, in part by giving away gifts to those in attendance.
These masks usually depict an outer, animal face, which the performer can open by pulling a string to reveal an inner human face carved in wood
Notice the strings used to pull the mask open
Covering Something Up
Sometimes covering something up can create a work of art like the rain shadows that Andy Goldsworthy creates by laying on dry ground and hiding the ground surface with is body while it sprinkles rain. When he stands up what is left behind is an outline.
Why might this be considered a self-portrait?
What materials does Andy use to create this work?
Does art have to last a long time?
Do you have to hide details in your art?
What would you hide if you made this artistic choice?
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