There is scarcely any great author in European literature…
““There is scarcely any great author in European literature, old or new, who has not distinguished himself in his treatment of the supernatural. In English literature, I believe there is no exception from the time of the Anglo-Saxon poets to Shakespeare, and from Shakespeare to our own day. And this introduces us to the consideration of a general and remarkable fact, a fact that I do not remember to have seen in any books, but which is of very great philosophical importance: there is something ghostly in all great art, whether of literature, music, sculpture, or architecture. It touches something within us that relates to infinity””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Great art across cultures shares a ghostly quality that connects us to the infinite.
In simple terms: Great art feels ghostly and points to infinity.
Key Takeaway
Seek the transcendent in creative works.
Themes
art
the supernatural
infinity
culture
philosophy
Mood
wonderful
inquisitive
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- visiting museums
- listening to music
- reading poetry
- contemplating architecture
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
metaphysics
human experience
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “ghostly” mean to you in a piece of art?
- How does this sense of infinity affect your appreciation?
A Different Perspective
Not all art aims for the supernatural; some focuses on realism or social critique.