A cultured society that has fallen away from its religious…
“A cultured society that has fallen away from its religious traditions expects more from art than the aesthetic consciousness and the 'standpoint of art' can deliver. The Romantic desire for a new mythology... gives the artist and his task in the world the consciousness of a new consecration. He is something like a 'secular saviour' for his creations are expected to achieve on a small scale the propitiation of disaster for which an unsaved world hopes.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When society abandons religious roots, it expects art to fill a void, turning artists into secular saviors tasked with averting disaster.
In simple terms: Art is expected to replace religion’s role, becoming a new source of hope.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate authentic artistic purpose.
Themes
art
religion
secularism
mythmaking
Mood
critical
hopeful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- cultural policy
- art education
- community projects
Key Concepts
aesthetics
cultural criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can art responsibly address societal anxieties?
- What alternatives exist to secular savior expectations?
A Different Perspective
The burden on artists may be unrealistic.