Art Quote by Harold Rosenberg
“The artist does not exist except as a personification, a figure of speech that represents the sum total of art itself. It is painting that is the genius of the painter, poetry of the poet, and a person is a creative artist to the extent that he participates in that genius.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The American Dream and the Art of Criticism", 1950
Art is embodied in the creator; the artist is the living expression of art itself.
In simple terms: The artist is the personification of art.
Key Takeaway
Recognize art’s living presence in creators.
Themes
art
creativity
identity
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- creative workshops
- art education
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
personification
genius
participation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing art in the artist change your appreciation?
- Can art exist without an artist?
A Different Perspective
Art may be abstract, making the personification concept hard to grasp.
![“I have not, in general, much belief in the ability of woman as a creative artist. Unwritten lyrics, as [Ralph Waldo] Emerson said once when we conversed on this subject, should be her forte.” quote by Fredrika Bremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d0f/fredrika-bremer-27193_ability_i-have-not-in-general-much-belief-in-the_1770672.jpg)
