--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Objects in pictures should so be arranged…" description: "\"Objects in pictures should so be arranged as by their very position to tell their own story.\" — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_objects_objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arrange_2441413.jpg" --- # Objects in pictures should so be arranged as by their very… ![“Objects in pictures should so be arranged as by their very position to tell their own story.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_objects_objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arrange_2441413.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_objects_objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arrange_2441413.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_objects_objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arrange_2441413.jpg) > “Objects in pictures should so be arranged as by their very position to tell their own story.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Goethe argues that visual composition should arise naturally from each element’s position, allowing the artwork to tell its own story without forced arrangement. **In simple terms:** Art should flow from the natural placement of its parts. Key Takeaway Let composition emerge organically. Themes artistic composition visual storytelling authenticity creative freedom design principles Mood thoughtful analytical inspirational Type theoretical artistic educational When to use this quote - graphic design - painting - photography - museum curation - educational workshops Key Concepts aesthetic theory visual hierarchy organic arrangement Questions to Reflect On - When is deliberate structure more effective than organic flow? - How does cultural context influence compositional choices? A Different Perspective The advice may overlook intentional design needed for clarity or impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arranged Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arranged-position-491301/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [Objects Pictures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects-pictures-491300/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Pictures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pictures/) [Pictures Arranged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pictures-arranged-491299/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Tell Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-story/) ## Related quotes > [Quite often, as life goes on, when we feel completely secure as we go on our way, we suddenly notice that we are trapped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/quite-often-as-life-goes-on-when-we-feel-completely-secure-as-we-go/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Whatever is the object of a saint's hope is the subject of his prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-is-the-object-of-a-saint-s-hope-is-the-subject-of-his-prayer/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We are the slaves of objects around us, and appear little or important according as these contract or give us room to expand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-are-the-slaves-of-objects-around-us-and-appear-little-or-important/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I've come up through art school, through painting, through graphic design, through advertising, through TV commercials and music video. I've designed books, built billboards,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-kaye/i-ve-come-up-through-art-school-through-painting-through-graphic/) [Tony Kaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-kaye/) > [“Our body is a sacred temple A place to connect with people. As we aren't staying any younger We might as well keep it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-claudia-antunes/our-body-is-a-sacred-temple-a-place-to-connect-with-people-as-we-aren/) [Ana Claudia Antunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-claudia-antunes/) > [“pictures of pictures, or of other”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arianna-huffington/pictures-of-pictures-or-of-other/) [Arianna Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arianna-huffington/) > [Fashion pictures show people looking glamorous. Travel pictures show a place looking at its best, nothing to do with the reality. In the cookery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-parr/fashion-pictures-show-people-looking-glamorous-travel-pictures-show-a/) [Martin Parr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-parr/) > [Because I could dance, my folks went through hell so I could be in movies. But I didn't dance in pictures. I cried! At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-holt/because-i-could-dance-my-folks-went-through-hell-so-i-could-be-in/) [David Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-holt/) > [There was a strange happening during a performance of Elgar's 'Sea Pictures' at a concert hall in Bermuda tonight, when the man playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-barker/there-was-a-strange-happening-during-a-performance-of-elgar-s-sea/) [Ronnie Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-barker/) > [“If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the imagination is worth a thousand pictures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-e-b-spredemann/if-a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words-then-the-imagination-is-worth/) [J.E.B. Spredemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-e-b-spredemann/) > [I write at a desk. I have a room of my own where I can have my computer. I write in there, usually directly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-bunting/i-write-at-a-desk-i-have-a-room-of-my-own-where-i-can-have-my/) [Eve Bunting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-bunting/) > [I've always said the bass just happens to be the crayon I picked out of the box. I'd still be drawing the same pictures...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/i-ve-always-said-the-bass-just-happens-to-be-the-crayon-i-picked-out/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [Let's make some funny pictures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tex-avery/let-s-make-some-funny-pictures/) [Tex Avery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tex-avery/) > [I dont take pictures with Niggas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-dont-take-pictures-with-niggas/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [“We know that children with autism like order, that they are often very visual and that they can be quite literal. They deserve beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele-devine/we-know-that-children-with-autism-like-order-that-they-are-often-very/) [Adele Devine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele-devine/) ## More by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > [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/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-lyrical-work-must-as-a-whole-be-perfectly-intelligible-but-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-easier-to-perceive-error-than-to-find-truth-for-the-former-lies/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-no-patriotic-art-and-no-patriotic-science/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/let-us-not-dream-that-reason-can-ever-be-popular-passions-emotions/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Our foibles are really what make us lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/our-foibles-are-really-what-make-us-lovable/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/instruction-does-much-but-encouragement-everything/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Giving is the business of the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/giving-is-the-business-of-the-rich/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-look-upon-all-four-gospels-as-thoroughly-genuine-for-there-shines/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. We are not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-we-may-say-against-collections-which-present-authors-in-a/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Explore all 2,052 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More Objects quotes > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [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/) > [The religion of art, like the religion of politics, was born from the ruins of Christianity. Art inherited from the old religion the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/the-religion-of-art-like-the-religion-of-politics-was-born-from-the/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [How do you, on the one hand, not object to Hillary Clinton being elected, and then, on the other hand, tell people, "Elect me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/how-do-you-on-the-one-hand-not-object-to-hillary-clinton-being/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [And so it is, that both the Devil and the angelic Spirit present us with objects of desire to awaken our power of choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/and-so-it-is-that-both-the-devil-and-the-angelic-spirit-present-us/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [At the centre of the human heart is the longing for an absolute good, a longing which is always there and is never appeased…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/at-the-centre-of-the-human-heart-is-the-longing-for-an-absolute-good/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [A lot of my work involves instilling objects with the power of touch - a transference of soul, spirit, energy through actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-colen/a-lot-of-my-work-involves-instilling-objects-with-the-power-of-touch/) [Dan Colen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-colen/) > [God is a reality of spirit He cannot be conceived as an object, not even as the very highest object. God is not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolai-berdyaev/god-is-a-reality-of-spirit-he-cannot-be-conceived-as-an-object-not/) [Nikolai Berdyaev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolai-berdyaev/) > [The things of the world are ever rising and falling, and in perpetual change; and this change must be according to the will of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/the-things-of-the-world-are-ever-rising-and-falling-and-in-perpetual/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [... the happiness of a people is the only rational object of government, and the only object for which a people, free to choose,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/the-happiness-of-a-people-is-the-only-rational-object-of-government/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [Used with due abstinence, hope acts as a healthful tonic; intemperately indulged, as an enervating opiate. The visions of future triumph, which at first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-fitzjames-stephen/used-with-due-abstinence-hope-acts-as-a-healthful-tonic-intemperately/) [James Fitzjames Stephen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-fitzjames-stephen/) > [Poems come from ordinary experiences and objects, I think. Out of memory - a dress I lent my daughter on her way back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-olds/poems-come-from-ordinary-experiences-and-objects-i-think-out-of/) [Sharon Olds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-olds/) > [I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun. For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-dressing-up-or-down-should-be-a-creative-experience-exciting/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [No matter the style, the farther one goes the more obstacles increase, and the more distant appears the object it is desired to attain.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-georges-noverre/no-matter-the-style-the-farther-one-goes-the-more-obstacles-increase/) [Jean-Georges Noverre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-georges-noverre/) [Browse all 3,786 Objects quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Objects in pictures should so be arranged as by their very position to tell their own story.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arranged-as-by-their-very-position/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Objects" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arranged-as-by-their-very-position/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_objects_objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arrange_2441413.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_objects_objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arrange_2441413.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_objects_objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arrange_2441413.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Objects in pictures should so be arranged as by their very position to tell their own story.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe", "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": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Objects in pictures should so be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arranged-as-by-their-very-position/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/objects-in-pictures-should-so-be-arranged-as-by-their-very-position/#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 } } ] } ```