Art Quote by Marcel Duchamp
“In France, in Europe, the young artists of any generation always act as grandsons of some great man - Poussin, for example, or Victor Hugo. They can't help it. Even if they don't believe in that, it gets in their system. And so when they come to produce something of their own, the tradition is nearly indestructible.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Future of Art, 1915
Artists inherit cultural legacies that shape their work, often unconsciously, creating a lineage that persists across generations.
In simple terms: Artists are influenced by past masters.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and reflect on inherited influences.
Themes
art history
influence
tradition
identity
creativity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
artistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art education
- creative practice
- exhibition planning
- critical analysis
Key Concepts
Cultural transmission
intertextuality
Questions to Reflect On
- What traditions do you embrace or reject?
- How does lineage affect your creative voice?
A Different Perspective
Artists can deliberately break from tradition to innovate.
