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being an artist: "And this susceptibility of theirs is…

“being an artist: "And this susceptibility of theirs is doubly unfortunate , I thought, returning again to my original enquiry into what state of mind is propitious for creative work, because the mind of an artist, in order to achieve to the prodigious effort of freeing whole and entire the work…” quote by Virginia Woolf
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““being an artist: "And this susceptibility of theirs is doubly unfortunate , I thought, returning again to my original enquiry into what state of mind is propitious for creative work, because the mind of an artist, in order to achieve to the prodigious effort of freeing whole and entire the work that is in him, must be incandescent, like Shakespeare's mind, I conjectured, looking at the book which lay open at Antony and Cleopatra. There must be no obstacle in it, no foreign matter unconsumed.””

Virginia Woolf

About This Quote

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

An artist must free their mind from obstacles, becoming incandescent like Shakespeare, to achieve profound creative work.

In simple terms: Clear, uninhibited mind fuels creativity.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate mental clarity for artistic breakthroughs.

Themes

creativity mindset obstacle removal

Mood

introspective inspirational

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • painting
  • performance
  • problem solving

Key Concepts

psychology of art flow state

Questions to Reflect On

  • What mental blocks hinder your work?
  • How can you create a conducive environment?
A Different Perspective

Complete freedom may be unrealistic; some constraints inspire.

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