My whole life has been nothing more than a continuous struggle against Reaction and the death of art.
Pablo PicassoRead
Art is never chaste. It ought to be forbidden to ignorant innocents, never allowed into contact with those not sufficiently prepared. Yes, art is dangerous. Where it is chaste, it is not art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Art challenges and provokes thought, and it should be approached with the right understanding and readiness.
In this quote, Pablo Picasso expresses the idea that art is inherently complex and can be provocative or challenging. He argues that art should not be something that is kept pure or innocent; instead, it is meant to evoke strong emotions and reactions. Picasso suggests that those who engage with art should have the maturity and awareness to appreciate and understand its deeper meanings, as true art transcends surface appearances and delves into the profound aspects of human experience. Thus, art's value is often tied to its ability to confront, provoke, and challenge perceived norms and understandings.
Themes
ArtDangerProvocationUnderstandingMaturity
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about contemporary art, this quote could be used to discuss the role of provocative content in artistic expression.
More from Pablo Picasso
All quotes →Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.
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In drawing, nothing is better than the first attempt.
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He can who thinks he can, and he can't who thinks he can't. This is an inexorable, indisputable law.
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You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea.
Pablo PicassoRead
I paint the way someone bites his fingernails; for me, painting is a bad habit because I don't know nor can I do anything else.
Pablo PicassoRead
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