14 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes on Art

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes on art

7. In der Kunst ist das Beste gut genug.

13. One of the most striking signs of the decay of art is the intermixing of different genres.

14. The true, prescriptive artist strives after artistic truth; the lawless artist, following blind instinct, after an appearance of naturalness. The one leads to the highest peaks of art, the other to its lowest depths.

23. Ich die Baukunst eine erstarrte Musik nenne.

24. The artist may be well advised to keep his work to himself till it is completed, because no one can readily help him or advise him with it...but the scientist is wiser not to withhold a single finding or a single conjecture from publicity.

26. Create, artist! Do not talk!

33. Ich singe, wie der Vogel singt Der in den Zweigen wohnet.

37. One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.

39. Art is long, life short; judgment difficult, opportunity transient.

50. I feel I'm happily inspired now on Classical soil: The Past and Present speak louder, more charmingly. Here, as advised, I leaf through the works of the Ancients With busy hands, and, each day, with fresh delight. But at night Love keeps me busy another way: I become half a scholar but twice as contented. And am I not learning, studying the shape Of her lovely breasts: her hips guiding my hand?

57. One is never satisfied with a portrait of a person that one knows.

86. Individuality of expression is the beginning and end of all art.

118. In art the best is good enough.

154. There is nothing more dreadful than imagination without taste.