--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps an eternal law of art is that…" description: "\"“Perhaps an eternal law of art is that, for everything discovered, something of value is forgotten.”\" — Jan Swafford" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ad/jan-swafford-59979_art_perhaps-an-eternal-law-of-art-is-that-fo_1772571.jpg" --- # Perhaps an eternal law of art is that, for everything… ![“Perhaps an eternal law of art is that, for everything discovered, something of value is forgotten.” quote by Jan Swafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ad/jan-swafford-59979_art_perhaps-an-eternal-law-of-art-is-that-fo_1772571.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ad/jan-swafford-59979_art_perhaps-an-eternal-law-of-art-is-that-fo_1772571.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ad/jan-swafford-59979_art_perhaps-an-eternal-law-of-art-is-that-fo_1772571.jpg) > ““Perhaps an eternal law of art is that, for everything discovered, something of value is forgotten.”” [Jan Swafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-swafford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artistic progress often comes at the cost of forgetting previous knowledge. **In simple terms:** Advancing art can cause loss of old value. Key Takeaway Balance innovation with preservation. Themes art progress memory trade‑off Mood thoughtful concerned Type philosophical cautionary When to use this quote - Research - archiving - educational curricula Key Concepts Cultural memory creative evolution knowledge loss Questions to Reflect On - What valuable knowledge might be lost? - How can we preserve while innovating? A Different Perspective Forgetting can erode cultural heritage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art Discovered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-discovered-1792387/) [Discovered Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovered-value-1143049/) [Eternal Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-law-689305/) [Forgotten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgotten/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Value Forgotten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-forgotten-1792386/) ## Related quotes > [Life is surely given us for higher purposes than to gather what our ancestors have wisely thrown away, and to learn what is of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/life-is-surely-given-us-for-higher-purposes-than-to-gather-what-our/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [I have discovered the value of psychology and psychiatry, that their teachings can undo knots in us and permit life to flow again and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/i-have-discovered-the-value-of-psychology-and-psychiatry-that-their/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [“I don't want to be here when my latest work of accidental art is discovered.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/i-don-t-want-to-be-here-when-my-latest-work-of-accidental-art-is/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [“Also renowned is the beautiful painting ceiling of the cave at Altamira, in Northern Spain. 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