Academic Quote by Robert C. Solomon
“High-class kitsch may well be "perfect" in its form and and composition: the academic painters were often masters of their craft. Thus, the accusation that a work of kitsch is based not on lack of for or aesthetic merit but on the presence of a particularly provocative emotional content. (The best art, by contrast, eschews emotional content altogether.)”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On Kitsch and the Aesthetic” (1995)
Argues that kitsch can be technically perfect yet judged by its overt emotional provocation, unlike “high” art which avoids emotion.
In simple terms: Kitsch is technically fine but emotionally manipulative; high art seeks emotional restraint.
Key Takeaway
Recognize emotional intent behind aesthetic judgments.
Themes
art criticism
emotion
aesthetics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- art education
- collecting
Key Concepts
kitsch
high art
emotional manipulation
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value emotional honesty over technical skill?
- Can art be both emotionally rich and intellectually rigorous?
A Different Perspective
Emotional content alone does not determine artistic value; context matters.
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