Buzz
Word-based Wordle spin-offs are endlessly entertaining. Each variation introduces a fresh twist to the gameplay. However, it’s refreshing to explore beyond letters and grids. Today, I discovered Artle, and it completely captivated me.
Developed by the National Gallery, this art-guessing game showcases artists from their collection. Am I an art expert? Not at all. But did I have a blast playing? Absolutely.
In this game, you’re presented with an artwork and must identify the artist. As you type a name, suggestions pop up, helping you choose, for example, “Polidoro da Caravaggio” without struggling with spelling. This feature also distinguishes between similar names, like Rembrandt Peale and Rembrandt van Rijn. (Pro tip: If the painting doesn’t load immediately, give it a minute. In our tests, the game was slow to start but worked smoothly afterward.)
Each of the four attempts reveals a unique piece of art. In today’s round, I started with a pen-and-ink sketch. My initial guess was incorrect, leading me to an engraving by the same creator. Wrong again. Next came a more intricate engraving. With no easy answers left, I struggled to pinpoint the artist’s era. Clueless, I missed again. The final clue was a vibrant painting with a somewhat recognizable style, yet I couldn’t identify it.
I made a wild guess, conceding defeat, and the answer was unveiled: an artist completely unknown to me.
In other games, this might feel disappointing. An obscure answer in a word-guessing game can be frustrating. But here, it’s a victory either way: if the artist was unfamiliar, now you know them.
As one Artle enthusiast shared with the Washington Post, “It’s eye-opening to realize that the artists you instantly recognize are mostly White 19th-century figures, prompting you to broaden your artistic horizons.”
The creators aimed to balance famous and lesser-known artists to make the game both engaging and informative. While the Gallery’s collection is dominated by works from deceased White men, Artle’s selections are more varied: 17.8% of the artists in the first 45 days were non-white, according to the Washington Post, compared to just 2.3% in the Gallery’s overall collection.
I won’t disclose today’s artist, but the game’s conclusion left me thoroughly intrigued. Along with revealing the artist’s name, it provided a link to their biography. (My century estimate was only off by 100 years—not too shabby!) Additionally, it included titles and links for further details on each of the four showcased artworks. Now, I’m more knowledgeable about this artist and eagerly await the next round in 11 hours and 48 minutes.
