--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The principles of my works... are the…" description: "\"The principles of my works... are the extinction of expression, permanent covering and contemplative tranquillity... My ideal is the completely dark pi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/arnulf-rainer-43991_contemplative_the-principles-of-my-works-are-the-extin_1241300.jpg" --- # The principles of my works... are the extinction of… ![“The principles of my works... are the extinction of expression, permanent covering and contemplative tranquillity... My ideal is the completely dark picture, full of some overwhelming silence.” quote by Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/arnulf-rainer-43991_contemplative_the-principles-of-my-works-are-the-extin_1241300.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/arnulf-rainer-43991_contemplative_the-principles-of-my-works-are-the-extin_1241300.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/arnulf-rainer-43991_contemplative_the-principles-of-my-works-are-the-extin_1241300.jpg) > “The principles of my works... are the extinction of expression, permanent covering and contemplative tranquillity... My ideal is the completely dark picture, full of some overwhelming silence.” [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He seeks total darkness and silence, rejecting expression for contemplative stillness. **In simple terms:** Embrace silence and darkness. Key Takeaway Explore inner stillness. Themes art silence contemplation nihilism Mood melancholic introspective Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - meditation retreats - darkroom photography - quiet reading - solitary walks Key Concepts aesthetic minimalism existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What does silence mean to you? - Can darkness be productive? A Different Perspective Such extreme negation can hinder communication and connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contemplative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Extinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extinction/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Tranquillity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tranquillity/) ## Related quotes > [I have any number of completely dark obsessions and fascinations, and none of this was present in my profile or my growing profile as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-cronin/i-have-any-number-of-completely-dark-obsessions-and-fascinations-and/) [Justin Cronin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-cronin/) > [One of the hardest things to do is trying to plug in your charger in when it's completely dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-hardest-things-to-do-is-trying-to-plug-in-your-charger-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we try to deny the darkness in our souls then we'll become completely dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/if-we-try-to-deny-the-darkness-in-our-souls-then-we-ll-become/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I have settled down in this border area; I am trying to find distinct standards of shape, and I long to experience, formulate, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/i-have-settled-down-in-this-border-area-i-am-trying-to-find-distinct/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) > [The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the nectar of spiritual tranquillity is not attained by greedy persons restlessly moving here and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-happiness-and-peace-attained-by-those-satisfied-by-the-nectar-of/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [There is a majestic grandeur in tranquillity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/there-is-a-majestic-grandeur-in-tranquillity/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [“Here, the world slows down, takes a pause, offering refuge to hidden and discreet creatures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-passarelli/here-the-world-slows-down-takes-a-pause-offering-refuge-to-hidden-and/) [David Passarelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-passarelli/) > [“Hiking is rewarding. The tranquillity of the mountains provides a perfect setting for self-introspection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gift-gugu-mona/hiking-is-rewarding-the-tranquillity-of-the-mountains-provides-a/) [Gift Gugu Mona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gift-gugu-mona/) > [People who put my paintings on their walls are putting their values on their walls: faith, family, home, a simpler way of living, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-who-put-my-paintings-on-their-walls-are-putting-their-values/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Dear Superwoman, protect your tranquility and sanity. Remember that anything against authenticity is vanity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gift-gugu-mona/dear-superwoman-protect-your-tranquility-and-sanity-remember-that/) [Gift Gugu Mona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gift-gugu-mona/) > [Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/political-liberty-in-a-citizen-is-that-tranquillity-of-spirit-which/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [...virtue is attended by more peace of mind than vice, and meets with a more favourable reception from the world. I am sensible, that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/virtue-is-attended-by-more-peace-of-mind-than-vice-and-meets-with-a/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [Sensual pleasures have the fleeting brilliance of a comet; a happy marriage has the tranquillity of a lovely sunset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-landers/sensual-pleasures-have-the-fleeting-brilliance-of-a-comet-a-happy/) [Ann Landers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-landers/) > [When the autumn meets the tranquillity, there you can see the King of the Sceneries!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/when-the-autumn-meets-the-tranquillity-there-you-can-see-the-king-of/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/) [Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/) ## More by Arnulf Rainer > [I could only relax when there was just one tiny white last spot left. I could see more clearly. I could grasp the shape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/i-could-only-relax-when-there-was-just-one-tiny-white-last-spot-left/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) > [Only an 'almost,' a 'nearly,' is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/only-an-almost-a-nearly-is-possible/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) > [In 1968 I frequently would sit in a photo booth and practice self mirror images which I then documented photographically. Curious types would always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/in-1968-i-frequently-would-sit-in-a-photo-booth-and-practice-self/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) > [Only the four corners of the background remained. It was terribly difficult to fix my eyes on all of them at the same time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/only-the-four-corners-of-the-background-remained-it-was-terribly/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) > [... I felt like a new man; but I was disappointed with the photographic documentation because I still saw always the old self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/i-felt-like-a-new-man-but-i-was-disappointed-with-the-photographic/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) > [Sometimes I had to force the overpainting of three corners almost without any feeling for shape, almost without inspiration, only to find my way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/sometimes-i-had-to-force-the-overpainting-of-three-corners-almost/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) > [I have settled down in this border area; I am trying to find distinct standards of shape, and I long to experience, formulate, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/i-have-settled-down-in-this-border-area-i-am-trying-to-find-distinct/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) > [the 'total overpaintings' developed... through incessant reworking. The original motif peeped through the edges. Gradually it vanished completely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnulf-rainer/the-total-overpaintings-developed-through-incessant-reworking-the/) [Arnulf Rainer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) [Explore all 9 Arnulf Rainer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnulf-rainer/) ## More Contemplative quotes > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Composing a piece of music is very feminine. It is sensitive, emotional, contemplative. By comparison, doing housework is positively masculine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kolb/composing-a-piece-of-music-is-very-feminine-it-is-sensitive-emotional/) Barbara Kolb > [“everything kills everything else in some way. Fishing kills me exactly as it keeps me alive. The boy keeps me alive, he thought. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/everything-kills-everything-else-in-some-way-fishing-kills-me-exactly/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [You cannot grow in the integrative dance of action and contemplation without a strong tolerance for ambiguity, an ability to allow, forgive, and contain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/you-cannot-grow-in-the-integrative-dance-of-action-and-contemplation/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [“I wonder if I am not turning into a contemplative . . . But those roses . They were something else. I was having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-barbery/i-wonder-if-i-am-not-turning-into-a-contemplative-but-those-roses/) [Muriel Barbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-barbery/) > [A lot of people do their practice. They meditate on compassion. Then they yell at people afterwards. That is not quite working. One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/a-lot-of-people-do-their-practice-they-meditate-on-compassion-then/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Fish slowly and thoroughly. Haste never paid dividends. Never wory about the fellow ahead of you. If you start racing to get ahaead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bergman/fish-slowly-and-thoroughly-haste-never-paid-dividends-never-wory/) [Ray Bergman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bergman/) > [“Oak gave up his room so they could sleep there, and although the bed is small, Cardan cannot mind when he takes Jude in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/oak-gave-up-his-room-so-they-could-sleep-there-and-although-the-bed/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Each person comes to have this musical experience, this moment with us, where they get to sink into our world for a little while.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-welch/each-person-comes-to-have-this-musical-experience-this-moment-with-us/) [Gillian Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-welch/) > [Since I was introduced to the practice of God's presence, which in turn led me into the contemplative way, I have nearly always felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-d-mclaren/since-i-was-introduced-to-the-practice-of-god-s-presence-which-in/) [Brian D. McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-d-mclaren/) > [From about 5 years old on, I was very contemplative and started to become constantly filled with nostalgia for the present moment and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/from-about-5-years-old-on-i-was-very-contemplative-and-started-to/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [ It is to this silence \[contemplative prayer\] that we all are called. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-prayer-that-we-all-are-called/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“Contemplative love seeks a heroic deed that can be accomplished without delay and in full view of everyone. Indeed, some people are even ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/contemplative-love-seeks-a-heroic-deed-that-can-be-accomplished/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [We become, after the arrival of the printing press in general, more attentive more attuned to contemplative ways of thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-g-carr/we-become-after-the-arrival-of-the-printing-press-in-general-more/) [Nicholas G. Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-g-carr/) > [I just think of interesting roles to play. I guess that I have matured, I guess growing up and becoming a man, your taste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hartnett/i-just-think-of-interesting-roles-to-play-i-guess-that-i-have-matured/) [Josh Hartnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hartnett/) [Browse all 237 Contemplative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The principles of my works... are the extinction of expression, permanent covering and contemplative tranquillity... 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