Grounded in the natural philosophy of the Middle Ages, alchemy formed a bridge: on the one hand into the past, to Gnosticism, and on the other into the future, to the modern psychology of the unconscious.
Carl JungRead
True art is creation, and creation is beyond all theories. That is why I say to any beginner: Learn your theories as well as you can, but put them aside when you touch the miracle of the living soul. Not theories but your own creative individuality alone must decide.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Creativity surpasses theoretical understanding, emphasizing the importance of personal expression in art.
Carl Jung's quote suggests that while understanding artistic theories is valuable, true creativity emerges from the individual's unique expression and connection to the essence of life. He encourages beginners to learn the rules but to ultimately rely on their personal creativity and intuition when creating art.
Themes
ArtCreationIndividualityCreativityTheories
In practice
Example use cases
In an art class, a teacher might quote this to inspire students to trust their own instincts.
More from Carl Jung
All quotes →The majority of my patients consisted not of believers but of those who had lost their faith.
Carl JungRead
Complexes are psychic contents which are outside the control of the conscious mind. They have been split off from consciousness and lead a separate existence in the unconscious, being at all times ready to hinder or to reinforce the conscious intentions.
Carl JungRead
We are in a far better position to observe instincts in animals or in primitives than in ourselves. This is due to the fact that we have grown accustomed to scrutinizing our own actions and to seeking rational explanations for them.
Carl JungRead
From the viewpoint of analytic psychology, the theatre, aside from any aesthetic value, may be considered as an institution for the treatment of the mass complex.
Carl JungRead
I have treated many hundreds of patients. Among those in the second half of life - that is to say, over 35 - there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life.
Carl JungRead
Similar quotes
I originally wanted to embrace the imagery and forthrightness of rap music. There are some interesting, dynamic voices in rap. But I find most of it irresponsible in its overt violence and commercialization of anger. As artists, we believe we can will action through language. If that's the case, we have to take responsibility for what we say.
Yusef KomunyakaaRead
The fairy tale is in a perpetual state of becoming and alteration. To keep to one version or one translation alone is to put robin redbreast in a cage.
Philip PullmanRead
You have to have a sound that inspires you to play because, if not, you won't be able to make the sound you have work. You won't be able to make magic with it if you're not happy with it, so it's important that you at least please yourself to the level where you can just relax and be an artist.
Joe SatrianiRead
A documentary photograph is not a factual photograph.
Dorothea LangeRead
Movies aren't finished, they're abandoned. And you have to make your peace with that.
David FincherRead
The bright dawn flooded the room, and swept the fantastic shadows into dusky corners, where they lay shuddering.
Oscar WildeRead