Today on Yahoo’s home page was a link to this cool video. It captures people’s expressions as they view one of the world’s most famous works of art. Please check it out and then come back. It’s worth 3 minutes of your time.

I’m going to the MFA on Friday to see “Americans in Paris, 1860–1900.” I’m sure my face will be filled with wonder a few times during that visit. What does viewing art do to you? Does it move you? Does it conjure up any level of emotion, or is it just nice to look at? I’ve experienced many emotions while looking at art… mostly discovery, surprise, wonder, sadness and sometimes a degree of happiness at the sheer genius and beauty of some works. I use “degree of happiness” because while looking at some art has produced pleasurable moments, uncontrolled hilarity has not been one of them.

I’m not going to mention any names, but during one recent museum trip, the person I was with had such an emotional episode from looking at a sculpture. I thought the piece was quite tasteful, albeit a bit over the top with the powdered wig look of 18th century aristocracy. I took a picture of the royal gentleman in question and I still cannot see the humor in it. Maybe you can.

By the way, the art in the film was Michelangelo’s “David.”