Learning and Contemplation—Matisse (Matthew Linck)

About this episode

Matthew Linck's lecture explores the relationship between learning and contemplation through the lens of Matisse's art.

Recording of a lecture delivered on November 14, 2025, by Annapolis tutor Matthew Linck, as part of the Formal Lecture Series. Professor Shiffman offers the following description of his lecture: "Our encounter with Matisse will be an occasion to think about learning. Paintings look like themselves, but they can remind us of other things (for example, other paintings). Aristotle says that when we see this as that, we learn. The “this is that” moment happens spontaneously; but we can also seek it out—seek learning—and ask, “What does this look like?” This requires looking around, searching for likenesses and making connections. But even if one painting reminds us of others, by looking like many others, that which a painting most looks like is itself. And so this requires us to think about what it means to see one painting by itself and what that would mean for learning. Matisse will help us with this question, and thus help us with a question about contemplation."

People in this episode

Guest: Matthew Linck

Topics covered

• learning
• contemplation
• art
• Matisse
• philosophy
• education

Keywords

• Matisse
• learning
• contemplation
• art
• philosophy
• lecture
• education

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Matisse

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