Cubism did not accept the logical consequences of its own discoveries; it was not developing abstraction towards its own goal, the expression of pure reality.
Piet MondrianRead
I think you too recognize the important relationship between philosophy and art, and it is just this relationship that most painters deny. The great masters do grasp it, unconsciously; but I believe that a painter's conscious spiritual knowledge will have a much greater influence upon his art, and that it would be due only to a weakness in him, or lack of genius, should this spiritual knowledge be harmful to his art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Philosophy and art are deeply interconnected, and understanding this connection enhances a painter's work.
Piet Mondrian emphasizes that the relationship between philosophy and art is vital for artists, yet often overlooked. He argues that great painters may grasp this connection unconsciously, but a deliberate understanding of spiritual knowledge can significantly enhance their artistic expression. If an artist's awareness of this relationship is detrimental, it signifies a lack of true genius or strength.
Themes
ArtPhilosophyCreativityInfluenceSpiritual Knowledge
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the importance of philosophical thought in artistic expression.
More from Piet Mondrian
All quotes →Experience was my only teacher; I knew little of the modern art movement. When I first saw the works of the Impressionists, van Gogh, van Dongen, and Fauves, I admired it. But I had to seek the true way alone.
Piet MondrianRead
One can rightly speak of an evolution in plastic art. It is of the greatest importance to note this fact, for it reveals the true way of art - the only path along which we can advance.
Piet MondrianRead
Vertical and horizontal lines are the expression of two opposing forces; they exist everywhere and dominate everything; their reciprocal action constitutes 'life'. I recognized that the equilibrium of any particular aspect of nature rests on the equivalence of its opposites.
Piet MondrianRead
The emotion of beauty is always obscured by the appearance of the object. Therefore, the object must be eliminated from the picture.
Piet MondrianRead
The truly modern artist is aware of abstraction in an emotion of beauty.
Piet MondrianRead
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