Despite the fact that humor is a fundamental human experience, when it comes to painting and sculpture, it has been more limited than other art forms. Typically artists are very serious about their art. Profound social and political comments are made and we, the viewer, reflect upon that. There is, however, another type of art: humor and whimsy. Across both cultures and history, artists have used wit, irony, parody and visual jokes to surprise, critique, and entertain viewers. Today we’ll explore whimsy from a historical viewpoint and also look at the different types and elements of whimsy found in art. And along the way, we’ll hopefully enjoy some smiles and chuckles.
