On September 4, we met at the Wallraf-Richartz Museum in downtown Cologne with Karla Schlaepfer for an “ArtTalk” based on the theme of “Love and Eros”. Karla leads “ArtTalk” every other month in one of the Cologne museums.

It is a fabulous way to spend a few hours. Not only is Karla a superb art historian who knows much about art (some great stories along the way!), she also has a talent for getting her audience to think and to talk about their ideas.

The goal is not to just “look” at the piece and hear her talk about it, but to “engage” with the pieces. “Who commissioned this piece?” “Why?” “Who chose what/whom to paint?” “What does this work tell us about ___?” “Where would this have been viewed?” “What was public reaction?” “What is your reaction to this work?”

This time, with the theme of love, our discussions brought up fascinating facts about women and relationships through the ages. Whatever the theme, I guarantee you will:

1. learn something about art and…
2. b) have new thoughts about the world….

Kathy McMillan Wilhelm

Next ArtTalk: 10am on Nov. 6 at Museum Ludwig Köln, “Ludwig goes Pop” – Pop Art extravaganza