Travel impressario Rick Steves has written an insightful article, “Living with David”, to propose “a helpful mindset when viewing art”. The article is at http://www.ricksteves.com/blog/index.cfm?fuseaction=entry&entryID=472 (Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door blog).
The approach is extremely helpful in any attempt to understand the Renaissance, and any other aspect of culture and history you may encounter!
Renaissance Rules 