Since we launched our redesigned website back in May 2009, we’ve been collecting data on visitors’ activity, including how many pages you visit, how long you hang around, and what you’re searching for. (Hope this doesn’t creep you out.) We use this giant pool of information to inform decisions about how to make our site better. But it’s not always just business. This information is also fun to look at, not only for practical work applications, but for getting to know our visitors a little better.
So what did we discover? That you like looking at art. Big surprise, right? Our Collection Search tool is by far the most visited section of our site. Here are the top five most viewed objects in our collection, from May 2009 to May 2012:
1. John Singer Sargent, The Breakfast Table, 1883–84
Viewed: 2192 times
Average time on the page: 0:47 min
2. Pablo Ruiz Picasso, A Mother and Child and Four Studies of Her Right Hand, 1904; verso: Self-Portrait Standing, 1903
Viewed: 1887 times
Average time on the page: 1:55 min
3. Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait Dedicated to Paul Gauguin, 1888
Viewed: 1772 times
Average time on the page: 1:05 min
4. Christian Seybold, Portrait of an Old Woman, 1749–50
Viewed:1766 times
Average time on the page: 0:41 min
5. Max Beckmann, Self-Portrait in Tuxedo, 1927
Viewed: 1700 times
Average time on the page: 0:31 min
Turns out you really like looking at paintings of people, but not for any longer than a minute or so. What are your reactions to this data?
Comments
I wouldn't have chosen any of
I wouldn't have chosen any of those as my top 5.
What would you have chosen?
What would you have chosen? We'd love to know!
Don't you think they were
Don't you think they were assignments from a class? For instance: compare portraits by Van Gogh, Beckmann, Seybold. The Seybold has not been on view for quite some time, but would make a good comparison with the Rembrandt Old Man which was. The choice of that particular Picasso surprises me. The Sargent is the handsome cover of "American Painting at Harvard v. 2" and was very popular when it was on view until recently. [HAM Docent]
Shane K Richardson
I greatly appreciate all the info I've read here. I will spread the word about your blog to other people. Cheers.
Great point about these
Great point about these objects possibly being viewed as part of a class. Objects from our collection are often used to inform courses at the university.
Shane, thank you for the positive feedback!
Gustav Klimt, "Pear Tree,"
Gustav Klimt, "Pear Tree," 1903!
Nice choice Nathan! We were
Nice choice Nathan! We were actually surprised "Pear Tree" wasn't in the Top 5. I expected at least one Winslow Homer.
Fantastic
Great work
Awesome
Nice work, Thanks
Awesome
Hi I think that your blog is quite nice!
Saw this on a whim... here's
Saw this on a whim... here's my two cents. Maybe the Picasso choice has something to do with fond memories from houses of our loved ones. My own mother has this above her reading chair, and while looking for a print to give my expecting sister, I've run into several folks who said it hung in their grandmother's house. Perhaps it was a good selling print of the past? Thanks for a very interesting look at our behavior! Keep up the good work.
Comments