Suppose I want to paint a woman's body: first of all I imbue it with grace and charm, but I know that I must give something more. I will condense the meaning of this body by seeking its essential lines. The charm will be less apparent at first glance, but it must eventually emerge from the new image which will have a broader meaning, one more fully human.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Condense essential lines of a subject to reveal broader, deeper human meaning beyond surface charm.
- In plain terms
- Condense lines to give deeper meaning than surface charm.
- What can you take from it?
- Seek essential lines for deeper meaning.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a figure human?
- How much to reduce?
Another view
Reduction can strip away the specific humanity of a subject.
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