QuoteProject
Whether it will convince or not, depends entirely on what it is in itself, what is there to be seen.
Lucian Freud
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The effectiveness of an artwork depends on its intrinsic qualities and what it conveys to the viewer.

This quote by Lucian Freud emphasizes that the power of art lies in its inherent characteristics and the ability to evoke a response from the observer. The viewer's interpretation and connection to the artwork are influenced by its composition, subject matter, and emotional resonance, highlighting the subjective nature of art appreciation.

Themes

ArtInterpretationViewer'S PerspectiveIntrinsic QualitySubjective

In practice

Example use cases

An art critic discussing a new exhibition might quote this to emphasize the importance of the artworks' inherent qualities.

More from Lucian Freud

Since the model he so faithfully copies is not going to be hung up next to the picture... it is of no interest whether it is an accurate copy of the model.
Lucian FreudRead
When I look at a body it gives me choice of what to put in a painting, what will suit me and what won't. There is a distinction between fact and truth. Truth has an element of revelation about it. If something is true, it does more than strike one as merely being so.
Lucian FreudRead
It is the only point of getting up every morning: to paint, to make something good, to make something even better than before, not to give up, to compete, to be ambitious.
Lucian FreudRead
The character of the artist doesn't enter into the nature of the art
Lucian FreudRead
I paint people, not because of what they are like, not exactly in spite of what they are like, but how they happen to be.
Lucian FreudRead
I could never put anything into a picture that wasn't actually there in front of me. That would be a pointless lie, a mere bit of artfulness.
Lucian FreudRead

Similar quotes

I've always had an idealistic streak about storytelling in that I believe we owe more to audiences than repeatedly bludgeoning them over the head while stealing their lunch money. We owe them inspiration. That's why I'm more interested now in creating new heroes than hooking up jumper cables to old ones.
Mark FrostRead
To the children who loved Harry Potter, I want to say your enthusiasm was the real magic. I so enjoyed being on the journey with you. And to the adults who bought the Harry Potter books and devoured them, I just want to say, those books were for children.
Daniel RadcliffeRead
Basically there can be no categories such as 'religious' art and 'secular' art, because all true art is incarnational, and therefore 'religious.
Madeleine L'EngleRead
Chess is no whit inferior to the violin, and we have a large number of professional violinists
Mikhail BotvinnikRead
If you believe in Cinderella, and if you can suspend your disbelief at midnight, then you can believe in the interdisciplinary midnight, the 'in-betweens,' and become fortunately entangled, moving from art to science.
Neri OxmanRead
Van Gogh never made a penny in his entire lifetime. He painted because it was his soul, his excitement. It was what aligned him with his Source of being. It's the same with me and writing.
Wayne DyerRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.