Age Quote by Lillian Hellman
“Old paint on 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.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of the Possible, 1975
Old ideas can reappear beneath newer ones, revealing hidden layers of meaning.
In simple terms: Past concepts can surface again.
Key Takeaway
Embrace revisiting earlier thoughts.
Themes
art
perception
history
revision
creativity
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- painting analysis
- creative writing
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
pentimento
layering
reinterpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can revisiting past ideas inform current decisions?
- What hidden meanings might emerge from re-examining history?
A Different Perspective
New ideas may obscure old truths.
