Desire Quote by Robert Hughes
“The desire to be primitive was very much a function of fin-de-siècle imperialism; it appealed to strong egos and domineering minds.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Shock of the New", 1981
The author links the turn toward primitive aesthetics with the late‑19th‑century imperial mindset, suggesting it fed ego and power fantasies.
In simple terms: Imperialism inspired a nostalgic, primitive artistic trend.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how political contexts shape artistic movements.
Themes
art history
imperialism
psychology
culture
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- art criticism
- historical analysis
- educational lectures
Key Concepts
colonialism
nostalgia
ego
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern movements echo this primitive desire?
- How does power influence artistic taste?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex artistic motivations.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
