Monday, October 26, 2009

Today's Quote

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) was one of the pre-eminent modernist painters of the 20th century. So, in the following quotation, he knows whereof he speaks:

"Art is the unceasing effort to compete with
the beauty of flowers-- and never succeeding"

2 comments:

Lil' Sis said...

Dr John,
I think most artists feel the same here a quote very similar from Michelangelo: The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.
Lil' Sis

John Hajduk said...

Lil Lis,
I don't consider myself an artist, but I had the same insight when we were in Red Rock Canyon a couple weeks ago. It was hard not to see the raw natural beauty of the setting as the inspiration for all kinds of artists (that specific spot, or any one of a million other places). When I came across the Chagall quote, I was reminded of that revelation, and gratified to have it confirmed so clearly by so prominent a figure (though probably not so prominent as Michelangelo).
Dr. John