Aesthetic Quote by Robert Hughes
““But aesthetic value does not rise from the work's apparent ability to predict a future: we do not admire Cézanne because of the Cubists drew on him. Value rises from deep in the work itself - from its vitality, its intrinsic qualities, its address to the senses, intellect, and imagination; from the uses it makes of the concrete body of tradition. In art there is no progress, only fluctuations of intensity. Not even the greatest doctor in Bologna in the 17th century knew as much a bout the human body as today's third-year medical student. But nobody alive today can draw as well as Rembrandt or Goya.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Shock of the New, 1980
Art’s value lies in its intrinsic vitality and sensory impact, not in predicting future trends; progress is a fluctuation of intensity, not linear.
In simple terms: Art is valuable for its own energy, not future predictions.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate art’s immediate power.
Themes
art criticism
philosophy of art
aesthetics
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- art education
- critical essays
- creative practice
Key Concepts
intrinsic value
sensory engagement
tradition
nonlinear progress
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a work feel vital to you?
- How do traditions shape artistic intensity?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on intensity may ignore cultural context.
