Audiences can better appreciate an artist's work by understanding their social and historical context. (Exam essay - 40mins)

Artist's interpretations of the world are shaped by their time + place, + it is important for the audience to have an understanding of this, as demonstrated y the artworks + times of Artemisia Gentileschi + Francis Bacon. Their artworks reflect their respective views + interpretations of the world in which they lived, + by familiarizing themselves with these views, interpretations and social contexts, the audience can gain a far greater understanding of these works. The art of Artemesia Gentileschi provide …

…a painter in the context of a static, inward-looking + often exclusive art community - something he fought hard against. Bacon's paintings were not just violent + shocking, they were a comment on the society in which he lived, + studying this society can bring us a greater understanding of the subject matter, techniques + materials he used. In conclusion, audiences can better understand an artwork through learning about the social, political and historical context of its creator's life.