KirillThere are two basic art historical methods.
the First is historical, assumes that the viewer is imperative to be aware of the time and environment of the artist.
Then, in General,-то, can be useful any knowledge.
for instance, information that Vermeer owed before the death of 600 guilders greengrocer, designed, apparently, to understand the daring position of the great artist, burdened with 11 children.
If you forget the sarcasm, that the historical method is too complex...