--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This grandiose tragedy that we call…" description: "\"This grandiose tragedy that we call modern art.\" — Salvador Dali" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/225/salvador-dali-2350_art_this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-mode_2605404.png" --- # This grandiose tragedy that we call modern art. ![“This grandiose tragedy that we call modern art.” quote by Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/225/salvador-dali-2350_art_this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-mode_2605404.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/225/salvador-dali-2350_art_this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-mode_2605404.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/225/salvador-dali-2350_art_this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-mode_2605404.png) > “This grandiose tragedy that we call modern art.” [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern art is portrayed as a tragic, grandiose spectacle, implying excess and loss of meaning. **In simple terms:** Modern art seems like a tragic show. Key Takeaway Critically assess artistic value beyond hype. Themes art criticism modernism culture subjectivity aesthetics Mood reflective skeptical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - gallery visits - art education - personal reflection Key Concepts Modern art’s purpose cultural impact artist intent Questions to Reflect On - What makes art feel tragic or grand? - Do you value art for its message or its form? A Different Perspective Interpretation varies; some find profound meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Grandiose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandiose/) [Grandiose Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandiose-tragedy-1980797/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Modern art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-art/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/) [Tragedy Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy-modern-1671152/) ## Related quotes > [The tragedy of the modern democracies is that they have not yet succeeded in realizing democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-maritain/the-tragedy-of-the-modern-democracies-is-that-they-have-not-yet/) [Jacques Maritain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-maritain/) > [The tragedy of modern war is that the young men die fighting each other - instead of their real enemies back home in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/the-tragedy-of-modern-war-is-that-the-young-men-die-fighting-each/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [The tragedy of modern man is not that he knows less and less about the meaning of his own life, but that it bothers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/the-tragedy-of-modern-man-is-not-that-he-knows-less-and-less-about/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [The tragedy of modern democracies is that they have not yet succeeded in effecting democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-maritain/the-tragedy-of-modern-democracies-is-that-they-have-not-yet-succeeded/) [Jacques Maritain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-maritain/) > [The tragedy is that, as modern viewers, we've completely lost touch with what it physically takes to wage a war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-robleto/the-tragedy-is-that-as-modern-viewers-we-ve-completely-lost-touch/) [Dario Robleto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-robleto/) > [Do not strive to be a modern artist: it's the one thing, unfortunately, you can't help being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/do-not-strive-to-be-a-modern-artist-it-s-the-one-thing-unfortunately/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [To have a museum like the Museum of Modern Art in New York is to have power. I don't have any interest in being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-gonzalez/to-have-a-museum-like-the-museum-of-modern-art-in-new-york-is-to-have/) [Luis Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-gonzalez/) > [Modern art was born from a desire to destroy kitsch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/modern-art-was-born-from-a-desire-to-destroy-kitsch/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [I felt most beautiful on the red carpet in Givenchy's sheer lace dress at a dinner hosted by Givenchy in honor of Marina Abramovich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-smalls/i-felt-most-beautiful-on-the-red-carpet-in-givenchy-s-sheer-lace/) [Joan Smalls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-smalls/) > [A painting in an interior spreads joy around it by the colors, which calm us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/a-painting-in-an-interior-spreads-joy-around-it-by-the-colors-which/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [On the surface the avant garde as a whole seems united primarily in terms of what they are against: the rejection of social institutions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-d-innes/on-the-surface-the-avant-garde-as-a-whole-seems-united-primarily-in/) [C. D. Innes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-d-innes/) > [I cannot understand why some people try to write a history of photography that is separated from the history of modern art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-francois-chevrier/i-cannot-understand-why-some-people-try-to-write-a-history-of/) [Jean-Francois Chevrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-francois-chevrier/) > [It is the common defect of modern art study. Too many students do not know why they draw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-henri/it-is-the-common-defect-of-modern-art-study-too-many-students-do-not/) [Robert Henri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-henri/) > [Do we pour $40 billion into grandiose Louisiana engineering projects or do we instead put up no trespassing- signs in the areas below sea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-brinkley/do-we-pour-40-billion-into-grandiose-louisiana-engineering-projects/) [Douglas Brinkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-brinkley/) > [I had never done anything with blue screen before, or prosthetics, or anything like that. Lord of the Rings was like stepping into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/i-had-never-done-anything-with-blue-screen-before-or-prosthetics-or/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) ## More by Salvador Dali > [Since I don't smoke, I decided to grow a mustache - it is better for the health. However, I always carried a jewel-studded cigarette…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/since-i-don-t-smoke-i-decided-to-grow-a-mustache-it-is-better-for-the/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/there-is-only-one-difference-between-a-madman-and-me-the-madman/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/those-who-do-not-want-to-imitate-anything-produce-nothing/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [Someone like myself, who claimed to be a real madman, living and organized with a Pythagorean precision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/someone-like-myself-who-claimed-to-be-a-real-madman-living-and/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [I seated ugliness on my knee, and almost immediately grew tired of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/i-seated-ugliness-on-my-knee-and-almost-immediately-grew-tired-of-it/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [Great wine requires a mad man to grow the vine, a wise man to watch over it, a lucid poet to make it, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/great-wine-requires-a-mad-man-to-grow-the-vine-a-wise-man-to-watch/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [Liking money like I like it, is nothing less than mysticism. Money is a glory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/liking-money-like-i-like-it-is-nothing-less-than-mysticism-money-is-a/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [Instead of stubbornly attempting to use surrealism for purposes of subversion, it is necessary to try to make of surrealism something as solid, complete…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/instead-of-stubbornly-attempting-to-use-surrealism-for-purposes-of/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [It is mostly with your blood, Gala that I paint my pictures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/it-is-mostly-with-your-blood-gala-that-i-paint-my-pictures/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/at-the-age-of-six-i-wanted-to-be-a-cook-at-seven-i-wanted-to-be/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [To be interesting, one has to provoke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/to-be-interesting-one-has-to-provoke/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [Beauty should be edible, or not at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/beauty-should-be-edible-or-not-at-all/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [The thermometer of success is merely the jealousy of the malcontents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/the-thermometer-of-success-is-merely-the-jealousy-of-the-malcontents/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [Democratic governments are not suited to the publication of the thunderous revelations I am in the habit of making. The unpublished parts will appear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/democratic-governments-are-not-suited-to-the-publication-of-the/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) > [Without hesitation, I place Freud among the heroes. He dispossessed the Jewish people of the greatest and most influential of all heroes-Moses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/without-hesitation-i-place-freud-among-the-heroes-he-dispossessed-the/) [Salvador Dali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) [Explore all 153 Salvador Dali quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This grandiose tragedy that we call modern art.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Salvador Dali" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-modern-art/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-modern-art/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/225/salvador-dali-2350_art_this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-mode_2605404.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/225/salvador-dali-2350_art_this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-mode_2605404.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/225/salvador-dali-2350_art_this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-mode_2605404.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This grandiose tragedy that we call modern art.” — Salvador Dali", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Salvador Dali", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-dali/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "This grandiose tragedy that we call...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-modern-art/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-dali/this-grandiose-tragedy-that-we-call-modern-art/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```