Art Quote by Nicholas Meyer
“First of all, I should preface this by the observation that artists are not the best judges of what they've done and the word definitive does not belong, in my opinion, in any conversation about art. When somebody says it's the "definitive" something, I'm always recoiling.”
About This Quote
Source Film: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, 1982
Artists often lack objectivity about their own work, so declaring something definitive is misleading.
In simple terms: Artists can’t be final judges of their art.
Key Takeaway
Question skepticism toward "definitive" labels.
Themes
art criticism
subjectivity
evaluation
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- gallery reviews
- film criticism
- creative collaborations
- academic analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Aesthetic judgment
self‑assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess your work without bias?
- When is a "definitive" label useful?
A Different Perspective
Even artists may recognize their own work’s value despite bias.
