--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you like looking at 'Starry Night' or…" description: "\"If you like looking at 'Starry Night' or water lilies or whatever, then why does it matter if it's an original? If the artist is still alive, and you w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92a/chris-cubas-28201_art_if-you-like-looking-at-starry-night-or-w_1426207.jpg" --- # If you like looking at 'Starry Night' or water lilies or… ![“If you like looking at 'Starry Night' or water lilies or whatever, then why does it matter if it's an original? If the artist is still alive, and you want to support them, I get it. But if you want some famous dead guy's work, that's just a way for rich people to show off. It's the upper-class…” quote by Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92a/chris-cubas-28201_art_if-you-like-looking-at-starry-night-or-w_1426207.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92a/chris-cubas-28201_art_if-you-like-looking-at-starry-night-or-w_1426207.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92a/chris-cubas-28201_art_if-you-like-looking-at-starry-night-or-w_1426207.jpg) > “If you like looking at 'Starry Night' or water lilies or whatever, then why does it matter if it's an original? If the artist is still alive, and you want to support them, I get it. But if you want some famous dead guy's work, that's just a way for rich people to show off. It's the upper-class version of driving a giant Hummer.” [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote questions the value of owning original art versus reproductions, suggesting that purchasing famous deceased artists' works is a status symbol for the wealthy. **In simple terms:** Original art is a status symbol for rich people. Key Takeaway Consider the true value of art beyond status. Themes art status consumerism Mood critical reflective Type analytical opinion When to use this quote - gallery purchases - home decor - gift giving - investment decisions Key Concepts cultural capital authenticity elitism Questions to Reflect On - Do you value art for its meaning or its prestige? - How does ownership affect your experience of art? A Different Perspective It may overlook the cultural and emotional significance of art for all people. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Original](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/original/) [Rich people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rich-people/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [Try to keep the rebel artist alive in you, no matter how attractive or exhausting the temptation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/try-to-keep-the-rebel-artist-alive-in-you-no-matter-how-attractive-or/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressing creature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-henri/when-the-artist-is-alive-in-any-person-whatever-his-kind-of-work-may-2/) [Robert Henri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-henri/) > [When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-henri/when-the-artist-is-alive-in-any-person-whatever-his-kind-of-work-may/) [Robert Henri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-henri/) > [Professionally, what comes first is representing the artist.Whether they're alive or dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-gagosian/professionally-what-comes-first-is-representing-the-artist-whether/) [Larry Gagosian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-gagosian/) > [Listen - by the time I'm 40, I'm either gonna be super famous or dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willam-belli/listen-by-the-time-i-m-40-i-m-either-gonna-be-super-famous-or-dead/) [Willam Belli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willam-belli/) > [Biography is the medium through which the remaining secrets of the famous dead are taken from them and dumped out in full view of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-malcolm/biography-is-the-medium-through-which-the-remaining-secrets-of-the/) [Janet Malcolm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-malcolm/) > [People only start caring if you're good looking, famous or either dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/people-only-start-caring-if-you-re-good-looking-famous-or-either-dead/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [In the words of a very famous dead person, 'A nation that does not know its history is doomed to do poorly on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/in-the-words-of-a-very-famous-dead-person-a-nation-that-does-not-know/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [You're popular when you're alive and you're famous when you're dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zonaet-espa-a/you-re-popular-when-you-re-alive-and-you-re-famous-when-you-re-dead/) [Zonaet España](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zonaet-espa-a/) > [“You painted all those characters into the paintings all over the school, and every one of them is a portrait of you, but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-norman-lippert/you-painted-all-those-characters-into-the-paintings-all-over-the/) [G. Norman Lippert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-norman-lippert/) > [There is a crucial distinction to be made between innovation and originality. The second, unlike the first, can never break with what preceded it:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/there-is-a-crucial-distinction-to-be-made-between-innovation-and/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [In terms of covers, it's always nice to do ones that aren't actually getting played by the original artist anymore. I just love the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-hutchison/in-terms-of-covers-it-s-always-nice-to-do-ones-that-aren-t-actually/) [Scott Hutchison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-hutchison/) > [An original artist is unable to copy. So he has only to copy in order to be original.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/an-original-artist-is-unable-to-copy-so-he-has-only-to-copy-in-order/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [The truly original artist invents his own signs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/the-truly-original-artist-invents-his-own-signs/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [I've only covered a few songs because I feel that if you're not going to go beyond the original artist in some way, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-angelique/i-ve-only-covered-a-few-songs-because-i-feel-that-if-you-re-not-going/) [Dawn Angelique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-angelique/) ## More by Chris Cubas > [I felt like I couldn't meet a single rich person. Regardless of where I live, they don't want to talk to me. I threw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/i-felt-like-i-couldn-t-meet-a-single-rich-person-regardless-of-where/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [Kansas City, well, part of the town's pretty cool, and part of the town is not. But it's gonna be that way no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/kansas-city-well-part-of-the-town-s-pretty-cool-and-part-of-the-town/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [Everybody wants to be Doug Stanhope; everybody wants to be Bill Hicks - and those are great people to aim for, but they had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/everybody-wants-to-be-doug-stanhope-everybody-wants-to-be-bill-hicks/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [I was living in upstate New York, in Kingston - small town, no comedy scene except for my friends and I doing these DIY…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/i-was-living-in-upstate-new-york-in-kingston-small-town-no-comedy/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [I don't know a single person that's like, ''Avatar' is my favorite movie.' It never even comes up. I don't know anyone that will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/i-don-t-know-a-single-person-that-s-like-avatar-is-my-favorite-movie/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [Put me on the Food Network - I'll be the funniest guy talking about food. I don't care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/put-me-on-the-food-network-i-ll-be-the-funniest-guy-talking-about/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [The flat-out worst movie I've ever seen has to be Uwe Boll's 'Rampage.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/the-flat-out-worst-movie-i-ve-ever-seen-has-to-be-uwe-boll-s-rampage/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [I wanna be funny, but if I have a chance to make a point while being funny - why not?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/i-wanna-be-funny-but-if-i-have-a-chance-to-make-a-point-while-being/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [If you have any sense, if you're any good at comedy, you come to Austin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/if-you-have-any-sense-if-you-re-any-good-at-comedy-you-come-to-austin/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [There's a difference between hiring writers and stealing jokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/there-s-a-difference-between-hiring-writers-and-stealing-jokes/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [It's weird writing for a documentary because I have all these ideas for what I want to happen, but what actually happens is obviously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/it-s-weird-writing-for-a-documentary-because-i-have-all-these-ideas/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [The holy grail for me is just stand-up - It's always been that. If I can just tour and headline in stand-up, that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/the-holy-grail-for-me-is-just-stand-up-it-s-always-been-that-if-i-can/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [When 'Titanic' came out on VHS, I was working at a Sam's Club, which is already the worst. I don't know what you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/when-titanic-came-out-on-vhs-i-was-working-at-a-sam-s-club-which-is/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [Twitter is basically just writing a bunch of one-liners - it's a short form or whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/twitter-is-basically-just-writing-a-bunch-of-one-liners-it-s-a-short/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) > [I hated 'Avatar' from the jump. And I like James Cameron. I'm not opposed to James Cameron.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cubas/i-hated-avatar-from-the-jump-and-i-like-james-cameron-i-m-not-opposed/) [Chris Cubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) [Explore all 19 Chris Cubas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cubas/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you like looking at 'Starry Night' or water lilies or whatever, then why does it matter if it's an original? 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