Comparing the Perception of In-Person and Digital Monitor Viewing of Paintings

In the context of rapidly developing technologies and widespread online access, it is important to understand how our perception of images on a computer screen may vary from traditional in-person encounters. This research compared the perception of subjects in view of eight paintings, presented either on a computer monitor or as a printed reproduction. Both stationary and mobile eye-tracking technologies were used to analyze the viewing patterns of both forms of engagement. Results suggested that subjects engaging with physical works tended to exhibit more varied fixational patterns than those viewing the same works on a computer monitor. Data showed parity in the high degree of correlation between viewing times and personal preference, regardless of viewing medium. The results indicate that the modalities through which we engage with works of art matter, and that a single image can resonate across an array of media.