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[T]he visibility of styles is itself a product of historical consciousness. ... The very notion of "style" needs to be approached historically. Awareness of style as a problematic and isolable element in a work of art has emerged in the audience for art only at certain historical moments - as a front behind which other issues, ultimately ethical and political, are being debated.
Susan Sontag
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Style in art is influenced by historical context and reflects deeper ethical and political debates.

Susan Sontag suggests that our perception of 'style' in art is not a stagnant concept but rather shaped by the historical consciousness of different eras. The way we understand and critique artistic styles has evolved, often serving as a backdrop for broader discussions on ethical and political themes relevant to the time.

Themes

StyleArtHistorical ConsciousnessEthicsPolitics

In practice

Example use cases

In a lecture on art history, this quote can be used to illustrate how societal values influence artistic movements.

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