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Art Quote by Wassily Kandinsky

“(...) an inner feeling called "Stimmung" by the germans and best translated as sentiment (it is to be regreted that this word, sentiment, which is meant to describe the poetical efforts of an artist living soul, has been misused and finally, ridiculed. Was there ever a great word that the masses…” quote by Wassily Kandinsky
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““(...) an inner feeling called "Stimmung" by the germans and best translated as sentiment (it is to be regreted that this word, sentiment, which is meant to describe the poetical efforts of an artist living soul, has been misused and finally, ridiculed. Was there ever a great word that the masses did not try immediatly to cheapen and desecrate?) (...)””

Wassily Kandinsky

About This Quote

Source Essay: Concerning the Spiritual in Art, 1911

The German term “Stimmung” captures a deep, poetic sentiment often diluted by popular misuse

In simple terms: A profound feeling often cheapened by mass usage

Key Takeaway

Preserve the depth of artistic sentiment

Themes

art language culture

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • art criticism
  • creative writing
  • cultural analysis

Key Concepts

semantic erosion poetic expression

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does language shape artistic perception?
  • Can we protect nuanced terms from misuse?
A Different Perspective

The term may be too niche for broad audiences

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