Amateur Quote by Robert Farrar Capon
““There, then, is the role of the amateur: to look the world back to grace. There, too, is the necessity of his work: His tribe must be in short supply; his job has gone begging. The world looks as if it has been left in the custody of a pack of trolls. Indeed, the whole distinction between art and trash, between food and garbage, depends on the presence or absence of the loving eye. Turn a statue over to a boor, and his boredom will break it to bits - witness the ruined monuments of antiquity. On the other hand, turn a shack over to a lover; for all its poverty, its lights and shadows warm a little and its numbed surfaces prickle with feeling.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Role of the Amateur” in The Art of the Sacred, 1995
Amateurs bring love and fresh perspective to art, rescuing it from neglect, while indifferent viewers can destroy its value.
In simple terms: Loving eyes preserve art; indifferent ones destroy it.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate attentive, caring observation of art.
Themes
art
perception
beauty
culture
love
Mood
appreciative
thoughtful
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- museum visits
- public art projects
- community workshops
- personal art collection
Key Concepts
aesthetic appreciation
subjective value
cultural preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- What can you do to see art with fresh eyes?
- How does love change perception of the mundane?
A Different Perspective
Not all viewers have the time or desire to engage deeply; resources may be limited.
