Art Quote by John Pfahl
“It is not without trepidation that I have appropriated the codes of the Sublime and the Picturesque in my work. After all, serious photographers have spent most of this century trying to expunge such extravagances from their art. The tradition lives on, mostly in calendars and picture postcards. I was challenged to rework and revitalize that which had been so roundly denigrated.”
About This Quote
The author acknowledges borrowing from the historic aesthetics of the Sublime and Picturesque, despite a prevailing trend among serious photographers to reject such ornate styles, and seeks to revive them in contemporary work.
In simple terms: Reviving dismissed aesthetic traditions in photography.
Key Takeaway
Reclaiming the Sublime and Picturesque enriches visual art.
Themes
Aesthetic Revival
Historical Influence
Artistic Rebellion
Cultural Memory
Visual Narrative
Mood
Reflective
Nostalgic
Inspired
Type
Statement
Observation
Reflection
When to use this quote
- Curating an exhibition that contrasts classic and modern styles
- Teaching a photography class on historical aesthetics
- Designing a calendar series that embraces grandeur
- Creating a postcard series that blends nostalgia with contemporary themes
Key Concepts
Sublime
Picturesque
Photographic Tradition
Modern Reinterpretation
Practical Applications
- Curating a gallery show that juxtaposes historic and modern imagery
- Developing a photography workshop focused on reviving classic visual vocabularies
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reintroducing the Sublime affect contemporary visual culture?
- What tensions arise when merging historic aesthetics with modern sensibilities?
