Flesh and blood Quote by Oscar Wilde
““I do not mean merely in its adding to enthusiasm that intellectual basis which in its strength, or that more obvious influence about which Wordsworth was thinking when he said very nobly that poetry was merely the impassioned expression in the face of science, and that when science would put on a form of flesh and blood the poet would lend his divine spirit to aid the transfiguration. Nor do I dwell much on the great cosmical emotion and deep pantheism of science to which Shelley has given its first and Swinburne its latest glory of song, but rather on its influence on the artistic spirit in preserving that close observation and the sense of limitation as well as of clearness of vision which are the characteristics of the real artist.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Soul of Man under Socialism, Oscar Wilde, 1891
Wilde argues that science sharpens artistic perception, encouraging precise observation and clear vision while preserving the artist’s sense of limits.
In simple terms: Science helps artists see clearly and stay grounded.
Key Takeaway
Embrace scientific insight to deepen artistic clarity.
Themes
art
science
observation
clarity
limitation
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- painting
- writing
- music composition
- film direction
- scientific illustration
Key Concepts
aesthetic philosophy
epistemology
creative discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- How can scientific methods enhance artistic expression?
- When does scientific rigor hinder creativity?
A Different Perspective
Science may constrain imagination if taken as absolute truth.
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