--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a younger man, art was a…" description: "\"When I was a younger man, art was a lonely thing. No galleries, no collectors, no critics, no money. Yet, it was a golden age, for we all had nothing t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/mark-rothko-11292_age_when-i-was-a-younger-man-art-was-a-lonel_2961984.jpg" --- # When I was a younger man, art was a lonely thing. No… ![“When I was a younger man, art was a lonely thing. No galleries, no collectors, no critics, no money. Yet, it was a golden age, for we all had nothing to lose and a vision to gain. Today it is not quite the same. It is a time of tons of verbiage, activity, consumption. Which condition is better for…” quote by Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/mark-rothko-11292_age_when-i-was-a-younger-man-art-was-a-lonel_2961984.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/mark-rothko-11292_age_when-i-was-a-younger-man-art-was-a-lonel_2961984.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/mark-rothko-11292_age_when-i-was-a-younger-man-art-was-a-lonel_2961984.jpg) > “When I was a younger man, art was a lonely thing. No galleries, no collectors, no critics, no money. Yet, it was a golden age, for we all had nothing to lose and a vision to gain. Today it is not quite the same. It is a time of tons of verbiage, activity, consumption. Which condition is better for the world at large I shall not venture to discuss. But I do know, that many of those who are driven to this life are desperately searching for those pockets of silence where we can root and grow. We must all hope we find them.” [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early artistic isolation fostered a pure, visionary era, whereas modern abundance creates noise that can drown depth. **In simple terms:** Silence nurtures deep artistic vision. Key Takeaway Seek quiet spaces to develop authentic art. Themes art silence vision Mood contemplative hopeful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - studio work - meditative practice - writing retreats - gallery visits Key Concepts creative solitude cultural overload Questions to Reflect On - How can artists find balance between silence and stimulation? - What practices protect creative focus today? A Different Perspective Abundance of information can also inspire new forms; it's not universally detrimental. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Collectors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectors/) [Consumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumption/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Golden age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden-age/) [Lonely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lonely/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nothing to lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing-to-lose/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [This life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-life/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [When I was your age, art was a lonely thing: no galleries, no collecting, no critics, no money. We didn't have mentors. We didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-logan/when-i-was-your-age-art-was-a-lonely-thing-no-galleries-no-collecting/) [John Logan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-logan/) > [Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/remember-this-had-any-other-condition-been-better-for-you-than-the/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [I take my job as a rock and roll sax player very seriously. To do it the way that I must do it, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-clemons/i-take-my-job-as-a-rock-and-roll-sax-player-very-seriously-to-do-it/) [Clarence Clemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-clemons/) > [Undoubtedly a man is to labor to better his condition, but first to better himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/undoubtedly-a-man-is-to-labor-to-better-his-condition-but-first-to/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [It is difficult to make our material condition better by the best law, but it is easy enough to ruin it by bad laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-difficult-to-make-our-material-condition-better-by-the-best-law/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I think you can tell the human condition better through comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-elizondo/i-think-you-can-tell-the-human-condition-better-through-comedy/) [Hector Elizondo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-elizondo/) > [I suspect you've noticed that making art can be lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/i-suspect-you-ve-noticed-that-making-art-can-be-lonely/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“Creating art is a lonely task, which is why we introverts revel in it,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-zappia/creating-art-is-a-lonely-task-which-is-why-we-introverts-revel-in-it/) [Francesca Zappia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-zappia/) > [By and large, the making of serious, thoughtful and occasionally valuable art has become a lonely persuasion, while the marketing of art has become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-ajay/by-and-large-the-making-of-serious-thoughtful-and-occasionally/) [Abe Ajay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-ajay/) > [“Creating art is a lonely task, which is why we introverts revel in it, but when we have fans looming over us, it becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-zappia/creating-art-is-a-lonely-task-which-is-why-we-introverts-revel-in-it-2/) [Francesca Zappia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-zappia/) > [“Creating art is a lonely task, which is why we introverts revel in it, but when we have fans”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-zappia/creating-art-is-a-lonely-task-which-is-why-we-introverts-revel-in-it-3/) [Francesca Zappia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-zappia/) > [To lose your last remaining parent is the toughest thing. It is a very lonely thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arpad-busson/to-lose-your-last-remaining-parent-is-the-toughest-thing-it-is-a-very/) [Arpad Busson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arpad-busson/) > [“There's a lot to be said for being alone. But you and I know, don't we, Flavia, that being alone and being lonely are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bradley/there-s-a-lot-to-be-said-for-being-alone-but-you-and-i-know-don-t-we/) [Alan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bradley/) > [“the human soul is a lonely thing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/the-human-soul-is-a-lonely-thing/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [“Loneliness is a sad thing. Sadness is a lonely thing. or vice versa.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debz-thompson/loneliness-is-a-sad-thing-sadness-is-a-lonely-thing-or-vice-versa/) Debz Thompson ## More by Mark Rothko > [Art to me is an anecdote of the spirit,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/art-to-me-is-an-anecdote-of-the-spirit/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [Without monsters and gods, art cannot enact a drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/without-monsters-and-gods-art-cannot-enact-a-drama/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [Many of those who are driven to this life are desperately searching for those pockets of silence where we can root and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/many-of-those-who-are-driven-to-this-life-are-desperately-searching/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [It is really a matter of ending this silence and solitude, of breathing and stretching one's arms again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/it-is-really-a-matter-of-ending-this-silence-and-solitude-of/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [This would be a distortion of their meaning, since the pictures are intimate and intense, and are the opposite of what is decorative; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/this-would-be-a-distortion-of-their-meaning-since-the-pictures-are/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [The picture must be... a revelation, an unexpected and unprecedented resolution of an eternally familiar need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/the-picture-must-be-a-revelation-an-unexpected-and-unprecedented/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [To me art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/to-me-art-is-an-adventure-into-an-unknown-world-which-can-be-explored/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [It is a widely accepted notion among painters that it does not matter what one paints as long as it is well painted. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/it-is-a-widely-accepted-notion-among-painters-that-it-does-not-matter/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend: One day, the black will swallow the red.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/there-is-only-one-thing-i-fear-in-life-my-friend-one-day-the-black/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [I do not believe that there was ever a question of being abstract or representational. It is really a matter of ending this silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/i-do-not-believe-that-there-was-ever-a-question-of-being-abstract-or/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can only be explored by those willing to take the risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/art-is-an-adventure-into-an-unknown-world-which-can-only-be-explored/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [If our titles recall the known myths of antiquity, we have used them again because they are the eternal symbols upon which we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/if-our-titles-recall-the-known-myths-of-antiquity-we-have-used-them/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [It is the poet and philosopher who provide the community of objectives in which the artist participates. Their chief preoccupation, like the artist, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/it-is-the-poet-and-philosopher-who-provide-the-community-of/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [The myth holds us, therefore, not through its romantic flavor, not the remembrance of beauty of some bygone age, not through the possibilities of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/the-myth-holds-us-therefore-not-through-its-romantic-flavor-not-the/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [If you are moved only by the color relationships, then you miss the point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/if-you-are-moved-only-by-the-color-relationships-then-you-miss-the/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) [Explore all 60 Mark Rothko quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) ## More Age quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [Real people speak in my books about the main events of the age, such as the war, the Chernobyl disaster, and the downfall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alexievich/real-people-speak-in-my-books-about-the-main-events-of-the-age-such/) [Svetlana Alexievich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alexievich/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Age is an accumulation of life and loss. Adulthood is a series of lines crossed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-goodman/age-is-an-accumulation-of-life-and-loss-adulthood-is-a-series-of/) [Ellen Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-goodman/) > [I calculated that if I live up to the age of 80, then I end up using 450 toothbrushes in my life. All that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/i-calculated-that-if-i-live-up-to-the-age-of-80-then-i-end-up-using/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? 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That was a hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kaulitz/we-have-started-to-make-music-at-age-seven-that-was-a-hard-work/) [Bill Kaulitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kaulitz/) [Browse all 18,948 Age quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was a younger man, art was a lonely thing. No galleries, no collectors, no critics, no money. Yet, it was a golden age, for we all had nothing to lose and a vision to gain. Today it is not quite the same. It is a time of tons of verbiage, activity, consumption. Which condition is better for the world at large I shall not venture to discuss. But I do know, that many of those who are driven to this life are desperately searching for those pockets of silence where we can root and grow. 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