To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.
Robert SchumannRead
You write to become immortal, or because the piano happens to be open, or you've looked into a pair of beautiful eyes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses the various inspirations for creating art, suggesting that it can stem from deep desires for immortality, fleeting moments, or beauty encountered in life.
Robert Schumann's quote reflects the motivations behind artistic expression. It suggests that artists may pursue their craft not only to achieve a sense of lasting legacy but also because of spontaneous moments of inspiration that prompt them to create, such as the allure of beauty, be it through sight or sound. This highlights the emotional connections and varied impulses that fuel creativity in the arts.
Themes
ArtInspirationBeautyImmortalityMusic
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at an art gallery opening, one might say this quote to inspire aspiring artists about their motivations.
More from Robert Schumann
All quotes βIt was an unforgettable picture to see Chopin sitting at the piano like a clairvoyant, lost in his dreams; to see how his vision communicated itself through his playing, and how, at the end of each piece, he had the sad habit of running one finger over the length of the plaintive keyboard, as though to tear himself forcibly away from his dream.
Robert SchumannRead
I am so fresh in soul and spirit that life gushes and bubbles around me in a thousand springs.
Robert SchumannRead
Think it a vile habit to alter works of good composers, to omit parts of them, or to insert new-fashioned ornaments. This is the greatest insult you can offer to Art.
Robert SchumannRead
Endeavour to play easy pieces well and with elegance; that is better than to play difficult pieces badly.
Robert SchumannRead
For me, music is always the language which permits one to converse with the Beyond.
Robert SchumannRead
Similar quotes
His outflung hands traced over the threads of his rug, passed loop by loop through some patient woman's hands. Or maybe she hadn't been patient. Maybe she'd been tired, or irritated, or distracted, or hungry, or angry. Maybe she had been dying. But her hands had kept moving, all the same.
Lois Mcmaster BujoldRead
I think you just have to be yourself instead of catering your sound to a specific audience, make the music you want to make, and the audience will find you.
Lewis CapaldiRead
The true work of art is born from the 'artist': a mysterious, enigmatic, and mystical creation. It detaches itself from him, it acquires an autonomous life, becomes a personality, an independent subject, animated with a spiritual breath, the living subject of a real existence of being.
Wassily KandinskyRead
He stared up at the stars: and it seemed to him then that they were dancers, stately and graceful, performing a dance almost infinite in its complexity.
Neil GaimanRead
As long as there are musicians who have a passion for spontaneity, for creating something thats never been before, the art form of jazz will flourish.
Charlie HadenRead
Arabic is very twisting, very beautiful. The call to prayer is quite haunting; it almost makes you a believer on the spot.
John UpdikeRead