Nature Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““Oh, God, send down fire from heaven to consume the blasphemer,” said Lawson. “What has nature got to do with it? No one knows what’s in nature and what isn’t! The world sees nature through the eyes of the artist. Why, for centuries it saw horses jumping a fence with all their legs extended, and by Heaven, sir, they were extended. It saw shadows black until Monet discovered they were colored, and by Heaven, sir, they were black. If we choose to surround objects with a black line, the world will see the black line, and there will be a black line; and if we paint glass red and cows blue, it’ll see them red and blue, and, by Heaven, they will be red and blue.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Moon and Sixpence, 1919
The passage argues that artistic perception reshapes reality, suggesting that what we see is colored by artistic imagination rather than objective truth.
In simple terms: Art changes how we see the world, making the imagined real.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of perspective in shaping reality.
Themes
art
perception
reality
subjectivity
creativity
Mood
inspirational
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
creative
When to use this quote
- painting
- writing
- design
- visual arts
- creative projects
Key Concepts
interpretation
visual perception
artistic license
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your own perception shape your reality?
- Can art reveal truths that science cannot?
A Different Perspective
Artistic view may ignore empirical facts, leading to misinterpretation.
