Able Quote by Piet Mondrian
“If you follow nature you will not be able to vanquish the tragic in any real degree in your art... We must free ourselves from our attachment to the external, for only then do we transcend the tragic, and are enabled consciously to contemplate the repose which is within all things.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The New Art – Aesthetic Theory" by Piet Mondrian, 1925
Art that imitates nature cannot fully capture tragedy; by letting go of external attachments, one can rise above tragedy and find inner stillness.
In simple terms: Nature‑based art misses deep tragedy; detach to find inner peace.
Key Takeaway
Detach from external, to transcend tragedy.
Themes
art
philosophy
spirituality
Mood
contemplative
serene
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- painting
- creative writing
- meditation practice
- teaching art
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
aesthetics
transcendence
attachment
Questions to Reflect On
- How does letting go of external forms affect artistic expression?
- Can inner stillness be conveyed without external references?
A Different Perspective
Detachment may limit emotional resonance with audiences.
![“The essence of painting has actually always been to make it [the universal] plastically perceptible through colour and line.” quote by Piet Mondrian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/679/piet-mondrian-14779_colour_the-essence-of-painting-has-actually-alw_277914.jpg)
