Art Quote by Hermann Hesse
““One thing, however, did become clear to him—why so many perfect works of art did not please him at all, why they were almost hateful and boring to him, in spite of a certain undeniable beauty. Workshops, churches, and palaces were full of these fatal works of art; he had even helped with a few himself. They were deeply disappointing because they aroused the desire for the highest and did not fulfill it. They lacked the most essential thing—mystery. That was what dreams and truly great works of art had in common: mystery.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Glass Bead Game”, 1943
Art lacking mystery feels empty; true greatness requires an element of the unknown that sparks imagination.
In simple terms: Mystery makes art alive.
Key Takeaway
Seek mystery in creative pursuits.
Themes
art
beauty
mystery
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- painting
- music
- writing
- design
- education
Key Concepts
aesthetics
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What mystery do you find in your favorite art?
- How can you incorporate mystery into your work?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on technique can stifle mystery.
![“[Art] would have helped us survive in the Pleistocene - in the period, say, 1.6 million years ago until fairly recently. The kind of imaginative abilities that artists have and that we all have in the appreciation of art - to appreciate Jane Austen, the late quartets of Beethoven.” quote by Denis Dutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f8/denis-dutton-31778_ability_art-would-have-helped-us-survive-in-the_2609177.jpg)
