Art is the only serious thing in the world. And the artist is the only person who is never serious.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Art is the only serious pursuit, yet artists themselves never take it seriously.
- In plain terms
- Art matters a lot, but artists stay playful.
- What can you take from it?
- Take art seriously without becoming rigid.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why is seriousness sometimes counterproductive in art?
- Can playfulness undermine artistic impact?
Another view
Some art can be frivolous or commercial.
More from Oscar Wilde
Friendship is far more tragic than love. It lasts longer.
Permalink to quote #124 Even the disciple has his uses. He stands behind one's throne, and at the moment of one's triumph whispers in one's ear that, after all, one is immortal.
Permalink to quote #126 In old days books were written by men of letters and read by the public. Nowadays books are written by the public and read by nobody.
Permalink to quote #123
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