--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Art distills sensation and embodies it…" description: "\"Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced meaning in a memorable form - or else it is not art.\" — Jacques Barzun" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/jacques-barzun-3251_art_art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-w_1912324.png" --- # Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced… ![“Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced meaning in a memorable form - or else it is not art.” quote by Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/jacques-barzun-3251_art_art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-w_1912324.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/jacques-barzun-3251_art_art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-w_1912324.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/jacques-barzun-3251_art_art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-w_1912324.png) > “Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced meaning in a memorable form - or else it is not art.” [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art must transform raw feeling into a lasting, meaningful expression; without that transformation it fails as art. **In simple terms:** Art turns feeling into lasting meaning. Key Takeaway Seek depth, not just representation. Themes creativity meaning expression Mood contemplative inspired Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - gallery exhibitions - public murals - digital installations - personal journaling Key Concepts aesthetics transformation memory Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your work conveys deeper meaning? - When does representation become art? A Different Perspective Art may be misunderstood or ignored if its meaning is too obscure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Memorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorable/) ## Related quotes > [In ordinary speech the words perception and sensation tend to be used interchangeably, but the psychologist distinguishes. Sensations are the items of consciousness--a color,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/in-ordinary-speech-the-words-perception-and-sensation-tend-to-be-used/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [“The sensation of a baseball bat to the face was not any more pleasant when it came from an unexpected direction, without warning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-wright/the-sensation-of-a-baseball-bat-to-the-face-was-not-any-more-pleasant/) [John C. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-wright/) > [I find the relationship of sensation and physicality, and, for me, it's music like anything else. It's a different way of expressing and exploring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-parkins/i-find-the-relationship-of-sensation-and-physicality-and-for-me-it-s/) [Zeena Parkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-parkins/) > [“risk feeds sensation...sensation makes risk acceptable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-watson/risk-feeds-sensation-sensation-makes-risk-acceptable/) Rod Watson > [I still enjoy the tactile sensation of holding a book. But when I need to read fast for work, I use the Kindle App…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tropper/i-still-enjoy-the-tactile-sensation-of-holding-a-book-but-when-i-need/) [Jonathan Tropper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tropper/) > [A good novel is an out-of-self experience. It lifts you off the ground so that you have the sensation of flying. It says, 'Look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/a-good-novel-is-an-out-of-self-experience-it-lifts-you-off-the-ground/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) > [I know I'll never feel that sensation of racing and winning again and that took a while to get used to. The Tour was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-lemond/i-know-i-ll-never-feel-that-sensation-of-racing-and-winning-again-and/) [Greg LeMond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-lemond/) > [I am a romantic, in a literary way, by which I mean the Romantic poets, who thought just because a sensation is fleeting doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-faulks/i-am-a-romantic-in-a-literary-way-by-which-i-mean-the-romantic-poets/) [Sebastian Faulks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-faulks/) > [“Even so, I’m somebody. I’m the Discoverer of Nature. I’m the Argonaut of true sensations. I bring a new Universe to the Universe Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-caeiro/even-so-i-m-somebody-i-m-the-discoverer-of-nature-i-m-the-argonaut-of/) [Alberto Caeiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-caeiro/) > [There is something hidden in each sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustavo-cerati/there-is-something-hidden-in-each-sensation/) [Gustavo Cerati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustavo-cerati/) > [Death is nothing to us: for that which is dissolved is without sensation; and that which lacks sensation is nothing to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/death-is-nothing-to-us-for-that-which-is-dissolved-is-without/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [I am no longer concerned with sensation and innovation, but with the perfection of my style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-saint-laurent/i-am-no-longer-concerned-with-sensation-and-innovation-but-with-the/) [Yves Saint Laurent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-saint-laurent/) > [“A sensation goes through Sherlock,part fear, part thrill:it is curious how danger has two sides to it; how it can excite you and scare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-peacock/a-sensation-goes-through-sherlock-part-fear-part-thrill-it-is-curious/) Shane Peacock > [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/) Cruce Stark > [The method of magnitude estimation provided a direct measure of sensation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-smith-stevens/the-method-of-magnitude-estimation-provided-a-direct-measure-of/) Stanley Smith Stevens ## More by Jacques Barzun > [The danger that may really threaten (crime fiction) is that soon there will be more writers than readers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-danger-that-may-really-threaten-crime-fiction-is-that-soon-there/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [It seems a long time since the morning mail could be called correspondence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/it-seems-a-long-time-since-the-morning-mail-could-be-called/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/teaching-is-not-a-lost-art-but-the-regard-for-it-is-a-lost-tradition/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [The reason why research is like sculpting from memory is that in neither is there a concrete visible subject to copy directly. The subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-reason-why-research-is-like-sculpting-from-memory-is-that-in/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Everybody keeps calling for Excellence - excellence not just in schooling, throughout society. But as soon as somebody or something stands out as Excellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/everybody-keeps-calling-for-excellence-excellence-not-just-in/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Bernard Shaw remains the only model we have of what the citizen of a democracy should be: an informed participant in all things we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/bernard-shaw-remains-the-only-model-we-have-of-what-the-citizen-of-a/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [The ascetic is often a sensualist who has reached the limit of his capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-ascetic-is-often-a-sensualist-who-has-reached-the-limit-of-his/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Idealism springs from deep feelings, but feelings are nothing without the formulated idea that keeps them whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/idealism-springs-from-deep-feelings-but-feelings-are-nothing-without/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/in-teaching-you-cannot-see-the-fruit-of-a-day-s-work-it-is-invisible/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [The mind tends to run along the groove of one's intention and overlook the actual expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-mind-tends-to-run-along-the-groove-of-one-s-intention-and/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Vanity is a static thing. It puts it faith in what it has, and is easily wounded. Pride is active, and satisfied only with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/vanity-is-a-static-thing-it-puts-it-faith-in-what-it-has-and-is/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [By the time I was 9, I had the conviction that everybody in the world was an artist except plumbers or people who delivered groceries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/by-the-time-i-was-9-i-had-the-conviction-that-everybody-in-the-world/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [A student under my care owes his first allegiance to himself and not to my specialty; and must not be burdened with my work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/a-student-under-my-care-owes-his-first-allegiance-to-himself-and-not/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [We are accustomed to the artist scoundrel or specialist in vice, and unaccustomed to the creator in whom passion and reason and moral integrity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/we-are-accustomed-to-the-artist-scoundrel-or-specialist-in-vice-and/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [The professionals resemble and recognize each other by virtue of the stigmata that their trade has left upon them. They are like the dog…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-professionals-resemble-and-recognize-each-other-by-virtue-of-the/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) [Explore all 135 Jacques Barzun quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced meaning in a memorable form - or else it is not art.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jacques Barzun" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-with-enhanced-meaning-in-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-with-enhanced-meaning-in-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/jacques-barzun-3251_art_art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-w_1912324.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/jacques-barzun-3251_art_art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-w_1912324.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f64/jacques-barzun-3251_art_art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-w_1912324.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Art distills sensation and embodies it with enhanced meaning in a memorable form - or else it is not art.” — Jacques Barzun", "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": "Jacques Barzun", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Art distills sensation and embodies it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-with-enhanced-meaning-in-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/art-distills-sensation-and-embodies-it-with-enhanced-meaning-in-a/#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 } } ] } ```