QuoteProject
It is not merely the likeness which is precious... but the association and the sense of nearness involved in the thing... the fact of the very shadow of the person lying there fixed forever! It is the very sanctification of portraits I think - and it is not at all monstrous in me to say that I would rather have such a memorial of one I dearly loved, than the noblest Artist's work ever produced.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The true value of a portrait lies in the emotional connection and memory it evokes, rather than its artistic quality.

In this quote, Elizabeth Barrett Browning articulates the deep emotional significance attached to portraits, suggesting that it is not simply the visual likeness that matters, but the memories, associations, and emotions they represent. She expresses a preference for a personal memorial that embodies her love for someone over a masterpiece by a renowned artist, emphasizing that personal connections hold greater value than artistic achievements.

Themes

LoveMemoryPortraitEmotionAssociationArt

In practice

Example use cases

In a heartfelt speech at a memorial service, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of personal connections.

More from Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Women know the way to rear up children (to be just). They know a simple, merry, tender knack of tying sashes, fitting baby-shoes, and stringing pretty words that make no sense. And kissing full sense into empty words.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
She has seen the mystery hid Under Egypt's pyramid: By those eyelids pale and close Now she knows what Rhamses knows.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
First time he kissed me, he but only kissed The fingers of this hand wherewith I write; And, ever since, it grew more clean and white.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
Our Euripides the human, With his droppings of warm tears, and his touchings of things common Till they rose to meet the spheres.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
Love me sweet With all thou art Feeling, thinking, seeing; Love me in the Lightest part, Love me in full Being.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead

Similar quotes

... sometimes I can feel it, the way we are pouring slowly toward a curve and around it through something dark and soft, and we are bound to each other.
Sharon OldsRead
What the world needs is not 'a little bit of love', but a surgical operation.
Oswald ChambersRead
She is so naked and singular. She is the sum of yourself and your dream. Climb her like a monument, step after step. She is solid.
Anne SextonRead
Love measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are.
William Sloane CoffinRead
I have great hopes that we shall love each other all our lives as much as if we had never married at all.
Lord ByronRead
When two people love each other, they don't look at each other, they look in the same direction.
Ginger RogersRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.