I was also, slowly, to learn that there were painters whom…
““I was also, slowly, to learn that there were painters whom you grew out of (like the Pre-Raphaelites); painters you grew into (Chardin); painters towards whom you had a lifelong, sighing indifference (Greuze); painters you suddenly became aware of after years of unnoticing (Liotard, Hammershoi, Cassatt, Vallotton); painters assuredly great but to whom your response was always a bit negligent (Rubens); and painters who would, whatever age you were, remain persistently, indomitably great (Piero, Rembrandt, Degas). And then – perhaps the slowest advance of all – I permitted myself to believe, or rather see, that not all Modernism was entirely wonderful. That some parts of it were better than others; that maybe Picasso could be vainglorious, Miró and Klee could be twee, Léger could be repetitive, and so on. I eventually came to realise that Modernism had strengths and weaknesses and a built-in obsolescence, just like all other art movements. Which, as it happens, made it more rather than less interesting.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Artistic preferences evolve; different painters resonate at various life stages, reflecting personal growth and changing tastes.
In simple terms: Our art tastes change over time.
Key Takeaway
Embrace evolving tastes as personal growth.
Themes
art
growth
subjectivity
Mood
contemplative
curious
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- museum visits
- art education
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
aesthetic development
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- Which artist currently moves you?
- How do you reconcile past and present preferences?
A Different Perspective
Some may view changing tastes as indecisiveness.