Art Quote by Jane Ellen Harrison
““I mention these ritual dances, this ritual drama, this bridge between art and life, because it is things like these that I was all my life blindly seeking. A thing has little charm for me unless it has on it the patina of age. Great things in literature, Greek plays for example, I most enjoy when behind their bright splendours I see moving darker and older shapes.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ritual Drama of Greek Tragedy, 1925
She values art that shows age and depth, where beauty is layered with history and darker meaning.
In simple terms: Art must show age and hidden depth.
Seek works with history and hidden layers.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- museum visits
- literature study
- theatre appreciation
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does age enhance a work's meaning?
- What hidden layers do you notice in favorite art?
Older works may be less accessible to modern audiences.