There [is] a feeling of recognition, as of meeting an old…
![“There [is] a feeling of recognition, as of meeting an old friend, which comes to us all in the face of great artistic experiences. I had the same experience when I first heard an English folksong, when I first saw Michelangelo's Day and Night, when I suddenly came upon Stonehenge or had my first…” quote by Ralph Vaughan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/6b3/ralph-vaughan-williams-24520_artistic_there-is-a-feeling-of-recognition-as-of_1532348.jpg)
“There [is] a feeling of recognition, as of meeting an old friend, which comes to us all in the face of great artistic experiences. I had the same experience when I first heard an English folksong, when I first saw Michelangelo's Day and Night, when I suddenly came upon Stonehenge or had my first sight of New York City - the intuition that I had been there already.”
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 triggers a deep sense of déjà vu, as if we have previously encountered its essence, connecting us to timeless human experience.
In simple terms: Art makes us feel familiar with something new.
Key Takeaway
Seek works that resonate deeply.
Themes
art
memory
human connection
Mood
nostalgic
wonderful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- visiting museums
- listening to music
- traveling to historic sites
- reading literature
Key Concepts
aesthetic experience
collective unconscious
recognition
Questions to Reflect On
- Which artwork gave you this sense of familiarity?
- Why do some experiences feel pre‑known?
A Different Perspective
Personal taste may limit perception of universal resonance.