Agree Quote by Clive Bell
“We all agree now - by 'we' I mean intelligent people under sixty - that a work of art is like a rose. A rose is not beautiful because it is like something else. Neither is a work of art. Roses and works of art are beautiful in themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Art and Its Objects, 1914
Art is valuable for its own qualities, not because it resembles something else.
In simple terms: Beauty is intrinsic to art and roses.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate works directly, without comparison.
Themes
a
intrinsic value
comparison
beauty
Mood
contemplative
intellectual
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- museum visits
- art criticism
- personal reflection
- teaching art history
Key Concepts
Aestheticism
formalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a work beautiful on its own?
- How does comparison affect our perception?
A Different Perspective
Some argue context enhances meaning, challenging pure intrinsic value.
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