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The conscience of an artist worthy of the name is like an incurable disease which causes him endless torment but occasionally fills him with silent joy.
Georges Rouault
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Interpretation

What this quote means

An artist experiences constant internal struggle yet finds moments of profound happiness in their work.

Georges Rouault's quote suggests that a true artist is deeply affected by their conscience, leading to persistent inner turmoil regarding their art and its impact. This torment is part of the artist's journey; however, through this struggle, they also experience unparalleled joy and fulfillment from creating and expressing themselves, highlighting the duality of the artistic experience.

Themes

ArtistConscienceTormentJoyStruggle

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech at an art exhibition, one might quote this to highlight the emotional depth of artists.

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Subjective artists are one-eyed, but objective artists are blind.
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Quote by Georges Rouault | QuoteProject