---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes, of course, the artist does…"
description: "\"Sometimes, of course, the artist does give up, saying, in effect, \"I've done enough\". Prospero declares that the revels are ended, and breaks his staff..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/philip-kitcher-4028_art_sometimes-of-course-the-artist-does-give_1964070.jpg"
---

#  Sometimes, of course, the artist does give up, saying, in…

![“Sometimes, of course, the artist does give up, saying, in effect, "I've done enough". Prospero declares that the revels are ended, and breaks his staff - his author retires to Stratford. At the very end, Mann did something similar. Interestingly, in both instances, death came quite quickly after…” quote by Philip Kitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/philip-kitcher-4028_art_sometimes-of-course-the-artist-does-give_1964070.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/philip-kitcher-4028_art_sometimes-of-course-the-artist-does-give_1964070.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/philip-kitcher-4028_art_sometimes-of-course-the-artist-does-give_1964070.jpg)

> “Sometimes, of course, the artist does give up, saying, in effect, "I've done enough". Prospero declares that the revels are ended, and breaks his staff - his author retires to Stratford. At the very end, Mann did something similar. Interestingly, in both instances, death came quite quickly after that.”

[Philip Kitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kitcher/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote reflects on artists who, feeling their work complete, retire, often soon before death, suggesting a link between creative fulfillment and life's end.

**In simple terms:** Artists sometimes quit when they feel done, and die shortly after.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when a project feels complete and allow closure.

Themes

creativity completion mortality legacy

Mood

reflective melancholic thoughtful

Type

philosophical literary observational

When to use this quote

- retirement from a career
- ending a long‑term project
- reflecting on life achievements
- managing creative burnout

Key Concepts

existentialism artistic fulfillment life cycles

Questions to Reflect On

- What signals that a creative endeavor is truly finished?
- How does the notion of “enough” affect artistic legacy?

A Different Perspective

Not all artists die soon after retiring; many continue to influence culture for decades.

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