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True ornament is not a matter of prettifying externals. It is organic with the structure it adorns, whether a person, a building, or a park. At its best it is an emphasis of structure, a realization in graceful terms of the nature of that which is ornamented
Frank Lloyd Wright
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True ornamentation enhances and reflects the inherent beauty and structure of the subject it adorns rather than simply adding superficial decoration.

Frank Lloyd Wright's quote emphasizes that true ornamentation should not merely serve to beautify or embellish a subject, but should be an integral part of its structure and essence. Whether applied to a person, building, or park, ornamentation should enhance and reveal the underlying qualities of the subject, highlighting its inherent design and nature rather than overshadowing it with mere decoration.

Themes

OrnamentationDesignStructureBeautyArt

In practice

Example use cases

In an art class discussion about design principles, this quote can illustrate the importance of integrating ornament with form.

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