Inadvertent Animals

When you look at paintings, it can take some time spent gazing, blinking, concentrating, and relaxing to notice all (or some, at least) of what the artists might have been trying to convey. While doing that, it also sometimes happens that ~ among the dots, blots, swirls and smudges, lines and spaces ~ unexpected shapes and faces can suddenly appear that might not seem to really quite fit in. You may even rub your eyes and look again . . . but there they are. This accidental trick of...
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When you look at paintings, it can take some time spent gazing, blinking, concentrating, and relaxing to notice all (or some, at least) of what the artists might have been trying to convey. While doing that, it also sometimes happens that ~ among the dots, blots, swirls and smudges, lines and spaces ~ unexpected shapes and faces can suddenly appear that might not seem to really quite fit in. You may even rub your eyes and look again . . . but there they are. This accidental trick of the eyes and mind that results in seeing things that aren't exactly there is called "pareidolia"... It can be a little startling in some ways, but it isn't supernatural. It's just another way for those of us who like to look at things ~ including old and famous paintings ~ to have a little fun.