--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is an indefinable quality possessed…" description: "\"There is an indefinable quality possessed by some artists. You simply can't explain it.\" — Vera-Ellen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/vera-ellen-16714_art_there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possesse_17659.jpg" --- # There is an indefinable quality possessed by some artists… ![“There is an indefinable quality possessed by some artists. You simply can't explain it.” quote by Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/vera-ellen-16714_art_there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possesse_17659.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/vera-ellen-16714_art_there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possesse_17659.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/vera-ellen-16714_art_there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possesse_17659.jpg) > “There is an indefinable quality possessed by some artists. You simply can't explain it.” [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It describes an elusive, intangible attribute that makes certain artists uniquely compelling, beyond technical skill or style. **In simple terms:** Intangible artistic spark Key Takeaway Some creators have an undefinable edge Themes Creativity Mystery Talent Inspiration Aesthetic Intuition Mood Wonder Admiration Curiosity Type Observation Reflection Anecdote When to use this quote - Evaluating art - Teaching art - Critiquing performances - Writing reviews - Curating exhibitions Key Concepts Artistic presence Subjective perception Emotional resonance Practical Applications - Art education - Creative consulting Questions to Reflect On - What makes an artist's work feel beyond words? - How can we recognize this quality without naming it? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artists/) [Artists Simply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artists-simply-387106/) [Explain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explain/) [Indefinable Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indefinable-quality-387107/) [Possessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessed/) [Possessed Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessed-artists-387104/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Quality Possessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality-possessed-387105/) [Simply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simply/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [...why is an artist an artist? Artists simply do feel and see things in a different way to other people. In a way it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/why-is-an-artist-an-artist-artists-simply-do-feel-and-see-things-in-a/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [Photographs objectify: they turn an event or a person into something that can be possessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/photographs-objectify-they-turn-an-event-or-a-person-into-something/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [“We all possess, like it or not, the people we know, and are possessed by them in turn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-boyd/we-all-possess-like-it-or-not-the-people-we-know-and-are-possessed-by/) [William Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-boyd/) > [“The way my imagination was running I’d be thinking I was possessed by everyone in hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/the-way-my-imagination-was-running-i-d-be-thinking-i-was-possessed-by/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [Songwriting is about getting the demon out of me. It's like being possessed. You try to go to sleep, but the song won't let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/songwriting-is-about-getting-the-demon-out-of-me-it-s-like-being/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [Possession without obligation to the object possessed approaches felicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-meredith/possession-without-obligation-to-the-object-possessed-approaches/) [George Meredith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-meredith/) > [“He had thought that home was something one possessed, but the things one had possessed were cursed with change; it was what one didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/he-had-thought-that-home-was-something-one-possessed-but-the-things/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-may-affirm-that-the-balance-of-power-in-a-society-accompanies-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I knew neither jealousy nor hate but was possessed by a rage to recreate a new world, the world which my eyes perceived, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-de-vlaminck/i-knew-neither-jealousy-nor-hate-but-was-possessed-by-a-rage-to/) [Maurice de Vlaminck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-de-vlaminck/) > [In order to the attaining of all useful knowledge this is most necessary, that we fear God; we are not qualified to profit by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/in-order-to-the-attaining-of-all-useful-knowledge-this-is-most/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [The enmity of such a party towards Socialism does not mean that the members are only prejudiced against it because they do not know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-radek/the-enmity-of-such-a-party-towards-socialism-does-not-mean-that-the/) [Karl Radek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-radek/) > [The masses are still ungrateful or ignorant. They prefer murder, poisonings, and crimes generally to a literature possessed of style and feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sand/the-masses-are-still-ungrateful-or-ignorant-they-prefer-murder/) [George Sand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sand/) > [One can be a great artist without being a great technician. There have been many famous ballet stars who did not have the ideal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-bujones/one-can-be-a-great-artist-without-being-a-great-technician-there-have/) [Fernando Bujones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-bujones/) > [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) ## More by Vera-Ellen > [I am five feet four and I felt great at 96 pounds. When I was dancing I was so light I enjoyed it. Although…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/i-am-five-feet-four-and-i-felt-great-at-96-pounds-when-i-was-dancing/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [There's not the choice of eligible males in Hollywood that you have in other places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/there-s-not-the-choice-of-eligible-males-in-hollywood-that-you-have/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [Once you are accustomed to giving your body a daily workout, you feel constrained when you don't exercise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/once-you-are-accustomed-to-giving-your-body-a-daily-workout-you-feel/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [I was called a bookish child. Mother sent me to a ballet teacher in Cincinnati when I was nine years old. I guess I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/i-was-called-a-bookish-child-mother-sent-me-to-a-ballet-teacher-in/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [When I wasn't working, I had a chance ta go back to New York and appear in the show 'Sally.' I carried the contract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/when-i-wasn-t-working-i-had-a-chance-ta-go-back-to-new-york-and/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [New York, with its stage musicals and night club shows, is the place to go. Success there will open the doors of Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/new-york-with-its-stage-musicals-and-night-club-shows-is-the-place-to/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [Often the studio will have premieres and other functions which I have to attend every week, so that just about takes care of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/often-the-studio-will-have-premieres-and-other-functions-which-i-have/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [Just look at me now - I've never been so happy in my life!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/just-look-at-me-now-i-ve-never-been-so-happy-in-my-life/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [Daintiness is very closely tied in with cleanliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/daintiness-is-very-closely-tied-in-with-cleanliness/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [One thing I liked about living in London was the smaller portions they serve. They eat more often but less at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/one-thing-i-liked-about-living-in-london-was-the-smaller-portions/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [Getting involved is so, so . . . involving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/getting-involved-is-so-so-involving/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [I'm not exactly repulsive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/i-m-not-exactly-repulsive/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [The development of under arm deodorants has been a great help to every woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/the-development-of-under-arm-deodorants-has-been-a-great-help-to/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [I'd really planned to be glamorous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/i-d-really-planned-to-be-glamorous/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) > [Once when I danced on television there was no script for me. They told me, 'you know, just dance.' Well, you don't 'just dance.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/once-when-i-danced-on-television-there-was-no-script-for-me-they-told/) [Vera-Ellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) [Explore all 39 Vera-Ellen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/) ## 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": "There is an indefinable quality possessed by some artists. You simply can't explain it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Vera-Ellen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possessed-by-some-artists-you-simply/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possessed-by-some-artists-you-simply/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/vera-ellen-16714_art_there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possesse_17659.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/vera-ellen-16714_art_there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possesse_17659.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/vera-ellen-16714_art_there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possesse_17659.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is an indefinable quality possessed by some artists. You simply can't explain it.” — Vera-Ellen", "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": "Vera-Ellen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-ellen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is an indefinable quality possessed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possessed-by-some-artists-you-simply/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-ellen/there-is-an-indefinable-quality-possessed-by-some-artists-you-simply/#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 } } ] } ```