--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just as counterpoint and harmony follow…" description: "\"Just as counterpoint and harmony follow their own laws, and differ in rhythm and movement, both formal tensions and color tensions have a development o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/hans-hofmann-11062_aim_just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow_953489.jpg" --- # Just as counterpoint and harmony follow their own laws… ![“Just as counterpoint and harmony follow their own laws, and differ in rhythm and movement, both formal tensions and color tensions have a development of their own in accordance with the inherent laws from which they are separately derived. Both, however, aim toward the realization of the same…” quote by Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/hans-hofmann-11062_aim_just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow_953489.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/hans-hofmann-11062_aim_just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow_953489.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/hans-hofmann-11062_aim_just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow_953489.jpg) > “Just as counterpoint and harmony follow their own laws, and differ in rhythm and movement, both formal tensions and color tensions have a development of their own in accordance with the inherent laws from which they are separately derived. Both, however, aim toward the realization of the same image. And both deal with the depth problem.” [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artistic elements follow distinct principles yet converge to create a unified visual experience, addressing depth and harmony. **In simple terms:** Different art rules combine to form one image. Key Takeaway Recognize varied methods toward a common goal. Themes art visual harmony depth creative process Mood reflective inspired Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - painting - design - visual storytelling - art education Key Concepts formal tension color tension inherent laws Questions to Reflect On - How do you integrate opposing techniques? - When does harmony outweigh tension? A Different Perspective Each element may conflict, requiring balance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) [Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color/) [Color Tensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color-tensions-1715260/) [Counterpoint Harmony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counterpoint-harmony-1715262/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Depth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depth/) [Development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/development/) [Formal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formal/) [Formal Tensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formal-tensions-1715263/) [Harmony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harmony/) [Inherent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inherent/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realization/) [Rhythm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhythm/) [Tension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tension/) [Tensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tensions/) [Tensions Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tensions-color-1715261/) ## Related quotes > [Color is a plastic means of creating intervals... color harmonics produced by special relationships, or tensions. We differentiate now between formal tensions and color…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/color-is-a-plastic-means-of-creating-intervals-color-harmonics/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [In the World Cup, much depends for every team on how it develops during the tournament. There are always rising tensions. They come from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-beckenbauer/in-the-world-cup-much-depends-for-every-team-on-how-it-develops/) [Franz Beckenbauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-beckenbauer/) > [I'm concerned with China growing at double or triple the rate of the West, that there will be tensions. One needs to do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-schwarzman/i-m-concerned-with-china-growing-at-double-or-triple-the-rate-of-the/) [Stephen A. Schwarzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-schwarzman/) > [“When we stay locked up in the spectrum of unsolved life stories and keep hiding in an arcane prism, life remains a mystery behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/when-we-stay-locked-up-in-the-spectrum-of-unsolved-life-stories-and/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [There is no life without work, anxieties or tensions. Peace is not found in avoiding these but in understanding them and controlling their force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-beckett/there-is-no-life-without-work-anxieties-or-tensions-peace-is-not/) [Wendy Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-beckett/) > [Ethnic divisions can definitely be exacerbated by a lack of natural resources, but those tensions become violent when people manipulate them for their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinaw-mengestu/ethnic-divisions-can-definitely-be-exacerbated-by-a-lack-of-natural/) [Dinaw Mengestu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinaw-mengestu/) > [We must do what we can to reduce, not increase, tensions. We must do what we can to present only the facts as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-spender/we-must-do-what-we-can-to-reduce-not-increase-tensions-we-must-do/) [Percy Spender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-spender/) > [Often in companies, you'll see tensions between sales and marketing. Sales people will want to give discounts to clients because they often get paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/often-in-companies-you-ll-see-tensions-between-sales-and-marketing/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [We've learnt that all couples have beef with each other and have ongoing tensions about something. Everyone's the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-beaumont/we-ve-learnt-that-all-couples-have-beef-with-each-other-and-have/) [Lucy Beaumont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-beaumont/) > [“When, in May, tensions reached a high point, London warned Berlin that if it attacked Czechoslovakia and the French were embroiled as well, "His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/when-in-may-tensions-reached-a-high-point-london-warned-berlin-that/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [I'm a physical actor in that I start with a physical sketch of the character. I find it easier to find inspiration from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-m-a-physical-actor-in-that-i-start-with-a-physical-sketch-of-the/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [The tensions between authority and the people need to be heard, especially when they are suffering and they can't eat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-fiennes/the-tensions-between-authority-and-the-people-need-to-be-heard/) [Ralph Fiennes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-fiennes/) > [In a summer marked by instability in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, I know the world also took notice of the small American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/in-a-summer-marked-by-instability-in-the-middle-east-and-eastern/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [An empty canvas, apparently really empty, that says nothing and is without significance – almost dull, in fact – in reality, is crammed with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wassily-kandinsky/an-empty-canvas-apparently-really-empty-that-says-nothing-and-is/) [Wassily Kandinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wassily-kandinsky/) > [It's got to do with the contention between content and form. Invariably that's what's responsible for its energies, its tensions, its being interesting or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/it-s-got-to-do-with-the-contention-between-content-and-form/) [Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/) ## More by Hans Hofmann > [The impulse of nature, fused through the personality of the artist by laws arising from the particular nature of the medium, produces the rhythm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/the-impulse-of-nature-fused-through-the-personality-of-the-artist-by/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [The width of a line may present the idea of infinity. An epigram may contain a world. In the same way, a small picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/the-width-of-a-line-may-present-the-idea-of-infinity-an-epigram-may/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [The art of pictorial creation is so complicated - it is so astronomical in its possibilities of relation and combination that it would take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/the-art-of-pictorial-creation-is-so-complicated-it-is-so-astronomical/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [The general misunderstanding of a work of art is often due to the fact that the key to its spiritual content and technical means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/the-general-misunderstanding-of-a-work-of-art-is-often-due-to-the/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [It takes intelligence and training, self-discipline and fine-sensibility, to gain renewed life through leisure occupation. America now suffers spiritual poverty, and art must become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/it-takes-intelligence-and-training-self-discipline-and-fine/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [When the impulses which stir us to profound emotion are integrated with the medium of expression, every interview of the soul may become art.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/when-the-impulses-which-stir-us-to-profound-emotion-are-integrated/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [A thing in itself never expresses anything. It is the relation between things that gives meaning to them and that formulates a thought. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/a-thing-in-itself-never-expresses-anything-it-is-the-relation-between/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [Genius is gifted with a vitality which is expended in the enrichment of life through the discovery of new worlds of feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/genius-is-gifted-with-a-vitality-which-is-expended-in-the-enrichment/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/the-whole-world-as-we-experience-it-visually-comes-to-us-through-the/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [I can't understand how anyone is able to paint without optimism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/i-can-t-understand-how-anyone-is-able-to-paint-without-optimism/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [To worship the product and ignore its development leads to dilettantism and reaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/to-worship-the-product-and-ignore-its-development-leads-to/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [The creative process lies not in imitating, but in paralleling nature - translating the impulse received from nature into the medium of expression, thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/the-creative-process-lies-not-in-imitating-but-in-paralleling-nature/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [To me, art is the glorification of the human spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/to-me-art-is-the-glorification-of-the-human-spirit/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [Nature's purpose in relation to the visual arts is to provide stimulus not imitation. From its ceaseless urge to create springs all Life -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/nature-s-purpose-in-relation-to-the-visual-arts-is-to-provide/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) > [A thought functions only as a fragmentary part in the formulation of an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/a-thought-functions-only-as-a-fragmentary-part-in-the-formulation-of/) [Hans Hofmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) [Explore all 62 Hans Hofmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just as counterpoint and harmony follow their own laws, and differ in rhythm and movement, both formal tensions and color tensions have a development of their own in accordance with the inherent laws from which they are separately derived. Both, however, aim toward the realization of the same image. And both deal with the depth problem.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hans Hofmann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow-their-own-laws-and-differ-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aim" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow-their-own-laws-and-differ-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/hans-hofmann-11062_aim_just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow_953489.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/hans-hofmann-11062_aim_just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow_953489.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fe/hans-hofmann-11062_aim_just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow_953489.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Just as counterpoint and harmony follow their own laws, and differ in rhythm and movement, both formal…” — Hans Hofmann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hans Hofmann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hofmann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Just as counterpoint and harmony follow...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow-their-own-laws-and-differ-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hofmann/just-as-counterpoint-and-harmony-follow-their-own-laws-and-differ-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```