A recent exhibition at the Museo del Prado might just represent the most sophisticated effort yet to engage blind and visually impaired people with painting, says Raphael Minder.
Guards make sure visitors to the Museo del Prado stay at arm’s length from its masterpieces. But here on a recent morning was José Pedro González running his fingers over one of El Greco’s most famous paintings, “The Nobleman With His Hand on His Chest.” He went back and forth over the nobleman’s eyes, rubbed his beard and eventually reached his hand, tracing the edges of each digit.
The work, of course, was a copy. But more surprisingly, the copy was in three dimensions so that Mr. González, who is 56 and has been blind since the age of 14, could experience the painting firsthand.
“It’s an unbelievable sensation,” Mr. González said. “I’m feeling this painting down to the detail of each fingernail... Keep reading on The New York Times
Guards make sure visitors to the Museo del Prado stay at arm’s length from its masterpieces. But here on a recent morning was José Pedro González running his fingers over one of El Greco’s most famous paintings, “The Nobleman With His Hand on His Chest.” He went back and forth over the nobleman’s eyes, rubbed his beard and eventually reached his hand, tracing the edges of each digit.
The work, of course, was a copy. But more surprisingly, the copy was in three dimensions so that Mr. González, who is 56 and has been blind since the age of 14, could experience the painting firsthand.
“It’s an unbelievable sensation,” Mr. González said. “I’m feeling this painting down to the detail of each fingernail... Keep reading on The New York Times