--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The defining function of the artist is to…" description: "\"The defining function of the artist is to cherish consciousness.\" — Max Eastman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/max-eastman-21861_art_the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-t_193153.jpg" --- # The defining function of the artist is to cherish… ![“The defining function of the artist is to cherish consciousness.” quote by Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/max-eastman-21861_art_the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-t_193153.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/max-eastman-21861_art_the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-t_193153.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/max-eastman-21861_art_the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-t_193153.jpg) > “The defining function of the artist is to cherish consciousness.” [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The artist’s primary role is to value and nurture awareness, both personal and collective. **In simple terms:** Artists should cherish consciousness. Key Takeaway Prioritize awareness in creative work. Themes art consciousness creativity philosophy Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical artistic When to use this quote - creative process - education - social commentary Key Concepts aesthetic theory mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How does consciousness shape artistic expression? - Can art exist without deep awareness? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on consciousness may neglect technical skill. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artist Cherish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist-cherish-2036468/) [Cherish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherish/) [Cherish Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherish-consciousness-2036469/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Defining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defining/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Function Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function-artist-292290/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) ## Related quotes > [Making the inner meet the outer is the function of the artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/making-the-inner-meet-the-outer-is-the-function-of-the-artist/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The function of the artist is to invent, not to chronicle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-function-of-the-artist-is-to-invent-not-to-chronicle/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The function of the artist is to disturb. His duty is to arouse the sleeper, to shake the complacent pillars of the world. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-bethune/the-function-of-the-artist-is-to-disturb-his-duty-is-to-arouse-the/) [Norman Bethune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-bethune/) > [The real function of the artist is to give fresh vision to their own generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-mccarthy/the-real-function-of-the-artist-is-to-give-fresh-vision-to-their-own/) [Doris McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-mccarthy/) > [The problem of making the inner meet the outer of today is, of course, the function of the artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-problem-of-making-the-inner-meet-the-outer-of-today-is-of-course/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [“The function of the artist,' the Navajo answered, 'is to provide what life does not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-function-of-the-artist-the-navajo-answered-is-to-provide-what/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [The function of the artist in a disturbed society is to give awareness of the universe, to ask the right questions, and to elevate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-abramovic/the-function-of-the-artist-in-a-disturbed-society-is-to-give/) [Marina Abramovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-abramovic/) > [The function of the artist is the mythologization of the culture and the world. In the visual arts there were two men whose work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-function-of-the-artist-is-the-mythologization-of-the-culture-and/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The function of the artist is to disturb. His duty is to arouse the sleeper, to shake the complacent pillars of the world.In a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-bethune/the-function-of-the-artist-is-to-disturb-his-duty-is-to-arouse-the-2/) [Norman Bethune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-bethune/) > [The function of the artist is to make people like life better than they have before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/the-function-of-the-artist-is-to-make-people-like-life-better-than/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [The function of the artist is to provide what life does not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-function-of-the-artist-is-to-provide-what-life-does-not/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [The function of the artist is to organize the facets of life according to his imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romare-bearden/the-function-of-the-artist-is-to-organize-the-facets-of-life/) [Romare Bearden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romare-bearden/) > [Now that we are recognizing more fully the value of the individual, now that management is defining more exactly the function of each, many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-parker-follett/now-that-we-are-recognizing-more-fully-the-value-of-the-individual/) [Mary Parker Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-parker-follett/) > [Good history is a question of survival. Without any past, we will deprive ourselves of the defining impression of our being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-burns/good-history-is-a-question-of-survival-without-any-past-we-will/) [Ken Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-burns/) > [One defining symptom of decadence is a fondness for vast and nonsensical extravagance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-silverberg/one-defining-symptom-of-decadence-is-a-fondness-for-vast-and/) [Robert Silverberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-silverberg/) ## More by Max Eastman > [People who demand neutrality in any situation are usually not neutral but in favor of the status quo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/people-who-demand-neutrality-in-any-situation-are-usually-not-neutral/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [I don't know why it is we are in such a hurry to get up when we fall down. You might think we would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/i-don-t-know-why-it-is-we-are-in-such-a-hurry-to-get-up-when-we-fall/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [There is something self-defeating in the too-conscious pursuit of pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/there-is-something-self-defeating-in-the-too-conscious-pursuit-of/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [If one were loyal to one's nation only because it was good and true ... one would not be loyal to any nation but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/if-one-were-loyal-to-one-s-nation-only-because-it-was-good-and-true/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Laughter is, after speech, the chief thing that holds society together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/laughter-is-after-speech-the-chief-thing-that-holds-society-together/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Humor is the instinct for taking pain playfully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/humor-is-the-instinct-for-taking-pain-playfully/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [A smile is the universal welcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/a-smile-is-the-universal-welcome/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-make-one-that-proves-you-have-a/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails. What puts man in a higher state of evolution is that he has got his laugh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/dogs-laugh-but-they-laugh-with-their-tails-what-puts-man-in-a-higher/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Classic art was the art of necessity: modern romantic art bears the stamp of caprice and chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/classic-art-was-the-art-of-necessity-modern-romantic-art-bears-the/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [ He \[P.G.Wodehouse\] is I believe, the only man living who speaks with equal fluency the American and English languages. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/he-p-g-wodehouse-is-i-believe-the-only-man-living-who-speaks-with/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Robert Benchley has a style that is weak and lies down frequently to rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/robert-benchley-has-a-style-that-is-weak-and-lies-down-frequently-to/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Laughter puts your brain, your central nervous system and your whole being into a state of free play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/laughter-puts-your-brain-your-central-nervous-system-and-your-whole/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Humor is a kind of emotional chaos told about calmly and quietly in retrospect.There is always a laugh in the utterly familiar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/humor-is-a-kind-of-emotional-chaos-told-about-calmly-and-quietly-in/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Patriotism is one of the unalterable facts of man's nature. It is a virtue if you like it, and a vice if you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/patriotism-is-one-of-the-unalterable-facts-of-man-s-nature-it-is-a/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) [Explore all 28 Max Eastman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The defining function of the artist is to cherish consciousness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Eastman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-to-cherish-consciousness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-to-cherish-consciousness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/max-eastman-21861_art_the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-t_193153.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/max-eastman-21861_art_the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-t_193153.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/max-eastman-21861_art_the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-t_193153.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The defining function of the artist is to cherish consciousness.” — Max Eastman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Max Eastman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The defining function of the artist...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-to-cherish-consciousness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-to-cherish-consciousness/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```