Skip to content

One picture in ten thousand, perhaps, ought to live in the…

“One picture in ten thousand, perhaps, ought to live in the applause of mankind, from generation to generation until the colors fade and blacken out of sight or the canvas rot entirely away.” quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Download Open image
“One picture in ten thousand, perhaps, ought to live in the applause of mankind, from generation to generation until the colors fade and blacken out of sight or the canvas rot entirely away.”

Nathaniel Hawthorne

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Only rare artworks deserve enduring applause across generations before fading.

In simple terms: Only the best art lasts.

Key Takeaway

Create timeless work.

Themes

art legacy beauty

Mood

thoughtful nostalgic

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • museum curation
  • public monuments
  • family heirlooms
  • digital preservation

Key Concepts

cultural memory ephemerality

Questions to Reflect On

  • What makes a piece timeless?
  • How does society decide what to preserve?
A Different Perspective

Not all art can achieve lasting fame.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Explore all 526 Nathaniel Hawthorne quotes

More Applause quotes

Browse all 556 Applause quotes