Cultural and religious beliefs play a significant role in understanding works of art that are emblematic of a particular culture or religion. By understanding what these beliefs are, it is possible for viewers and outsiders to gain a better comprehension of both the form and meaning of a particular work. There are certain aspects of Jewish architecture, for example, which point towards the location where Solomon's Temple was erected. Without knowing such background information, those studying art would overlook many of the key symbolic interpretations of different pieces of art. The meaning of art is oftentimes rooted in its cultural and religious significance.

Without cultural and religious understanding of a civilization that produced a piece of art, the viewer can simply make a series of assumptions. Most of those assumptions are based on importance. For instance, in artwork in which there is more than one figure represented, the viewer can...
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