Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.
Pablo PicassoRead
What makes people the world over stand in line for Van Gogh is not that they will see beautiful pictures but that in an indefinable way they will come away feeling better human beings. And that is exactly what Van Gogh hoped for.
Interpretation
People are drawn to Van Gogh's artwork not just for its beauty, but for the emotional uplift it provides.
This quote emphasizes the profound impact art, particularly that of Vincent Van Gogh, has on individuals. It suggests that the true value of his work lies not only in their aesthetic appeal but in their ability to evoke feelings and enrich the human experience. John Russell highlights that audiences seek a deeper connection and emotional resonance through art, which aligns with Van Gogh's intention to enhance the human spirit through his creations.
In practice
This quote could be used in a presentation about the emotional impact of art on society.
Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.
When asked how she knows when her writing is where she wants it to be: "I know when it's the best I can do. It may not be the best there is. Another writer may do it much better. But I know when it's the best I can do. I know that one of the great arts that the writer develops is the art of saying, 'No. No, I'm finished. Bye.' And leaving it alone. I will not write it into the ground. I will not write the life out of it. I won't do that."
A dead hydrangea is as intricate and lovely as one in bloom. Bleak sky is as seductive as sunshine, miniature orange trees without blossom or fruit are not defective; they are that.
To a degree, the Greek and Roman mythological heroes are just the first superheroes. They appeal to children for much the same reason. These gods and heroes may have powers, but they get angry and they do the wrong thing. They are human too.
I want a fever, in poetry: a fever, and tranquillity.
I wrote poems in my corner of the Brooks Street station. I sent them to two editors who rejected them right off. I read those letters of rejection years later and I agreed with those editors.
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