The Pensive Image: Art as a Form of Thinking

Pensive images are speculative,pointing beyond interpretation. They are an alternative pictorial category that stirs us away from interpretation and toward a state of suspension where thinking through and with the image can start. Artworks serve as models for thought and instruments through which thinking can take place.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

While the philosophical dimension of painting has long been explored, a compelling argument for painting as a form of visual thinking has yet to be established. Traditionally, vanitas still life paintings have been seen to raise ontological questions, while landscapes encourage introspection. However, Grootenboer goes beyond these conventional perspectives to delve into the unspoken aspects of painting, the implicit and inexpressible that manifests in a quality she refers to as pensiveness. Unlike self-aware or actively desiring images, pensive images are speculative, pointing beyond interpretation. They serve as an alternative pictorial category that invites us to suspend our interpretation and enter a state of contemplation where we can engage with and think through the image.

In her captivating exploration, Grootenboer delves into various modalities of visual thinking, presenting them as the locus where thought should be found, a sanctuary for reflection, and an encounter that sparks thought. Through these profound considerations, she demonstrates that artworks not only serve as models for thought but also as instruments through which thinking can take place. By starting from the premise that painting is itself a type of thinking, The Pensive Image makes a groundbreaking argument that art possesses the capacity to form thoughts and shape concepts in visual terms.

This transformative perspective challenges our conventional understanding of art as mere ornamentation or decoration. It suggests that painting, as a form of visual thinking, possesses the power to engage our intellect, provoke our emotions, and shape our worldviews. Grootenboer's work invites us to reimagine the role of art in our lives and to recognize its potential as a catalyst for intellectual growth and personal transformation.

Through her meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Grootenboer offers a rich tapestry of insights that shed light on the profound implications of painting as a form of visual thinking. She explores the ways in which pensive images can evoke a sense of wonder, contemplation, and empathy, and how they can challenge our assumptions and broaden our horizons. She also examines the ways in which artworks can serve as tools for introspection, self-discovery, and social commentary, and how they can contribute to the formation of a more inclusive and compassionate society.

In conclusion, The Pensive Image is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the role of art in our lives. Through her meticulous exploration of visual thinking and the pensive image, Grootenboer invites us to reimagine the potential of art as a catalyst for intellectual growth, personal transformation, and social change. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the arts, philosophy, and the power of visual communication to shape our worldviews.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226829449