Artist Quote by Lillian Hellman
““Old paint on a canvas, as it ages, sometimes becomes transparent. When that happens it is possible, in some pictures, to see the original lines: a tree will show through a woman's dress, a child makes way for a dog, a large boat is no longer on an open sea. That is called pentimento because the painter "repented," changed his mind. Perhaps it would be as well to say that the old conception, replaced by a later choice, is a way of seeing and then seeing again. That is all I mean about the people in this book. The paint has aged and I wanted to see what was there for me once, what is there for me now.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Reflections on Art and Memory, 1970 (hypothetical)
Artistic layers reveal earlier truths, suggesting that past ideas can resurface and inform current understanding, much like revisiting personal histories.
In simple terms: Old ideas can reappear, offering new insight.
Key Takeaway
Reexamine past beliefs for fresh perspectives.
Themes
memory
art
revision
selfdiscovery
interpretation
Mood
contemplative
nostalgic
insightful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- revisiting old projects
- learning from past mistakes
- appreciating evolving viewpoints
- recognizing hidden influences
Key Concepts
pentimento
layered meaning
historical consciousness
Questions to Reflect On
- What past belief could you reassess now?
- How does revisiting old work change your view?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on the present may ignore valuable lessons from the past.
