We are talking about an artist; and for the enjoyment of the artist the mask must be to some extent moulded on the face. What he makes outside him must correspond to something inside him; he can only make his effects out of some of the materials of his soul.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Art requires that external creations reflect internal reality; artists shape masks that correspond to their souls.
- In plain terms
- Art must match the artist's inner self to be true.
- What can you take from it?
- Art must reflect inner truth to be authentic.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does your art match your soul?
- Is honesty necessary in art?
Another view
Some art aims to conceal rather than reveal.
More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton
'Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.' The civilisation of antiquity was the whole world: and men no more dreamed of its ending …
Permalink to quote #164 An artist will betray himself by some sort of sincerity.
Permalink to quote #166 Other ages have seen the day conquer the candle-light and then the candle-light conquer the day. Again and again, before our time, men have grown content with …
Permalink to quote #163
Related quotes
My music must be an artistic reproduction of human speech in all its finest shades. That is, the sounds of human speech, as the external manifestations of thou…
Modest MussorgskyModest Mussorgsky quote #1 I don't do art to address other people but to address myself. I've never done art with a thought of being a professional artist who makes a living by selling h…
Robert FulghumRobert Fulghum quote #2 Is beautiful what proceeds from an inner necessity of the soul. Is beautiful what is inwardly beautiful.
Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky quote #3