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Beauty Quote by Edgar Allan Poe

“She was a maiden of rarest beauty, and not more lovely than full of glee. And evil was the hour when she saw, and loved, and wedded the painter. He, passionate, studious, austere, and having already a bride in his Art; she a maiden of rarest beauty, and not more lovely than full of glee; all light…” quote by Edgar Allan Poe
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““She was a maiden of rarest beauty, and not more lovely than full of glee. And evil was the hour when she saw, and loved, and wedded the painter. He, passionate, studious, austere, and having already a bride in his Art; she a maiden of rarest beauty, and not more lovely than full of glee; all light and smiles, and frolicsome as the young fawn; loving and cherishing all things; hating only the Art which was her rival;””

Edgar Allan Poe

About This Quote

Source Poem: “The Haunted Palace” (or similar early work), 1829

A beautiful woman falls in love with a painter, whose devotion to art creates rivalry and tragedy.

In simple terms: Beauty loves art, but art can become a rival.

Key Takeaway

Beware letting passion eclipse relationships.

Themes

love art jealousy beauty tragedy

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

literary poetic

When to use this quote

  • courtship
  • creative collaboration
  • personal sacrifice
  • conflict of priorities

Key Concepts

Romanticism artistic rivalry fatal attraction

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can love and artistic devotion coexist without conflict?
  • What compromises are needed when passions clash?
A Different Perspective

The painter’s existing devotion to his art may limit his capacity for true partnership.

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