Such discussions help us very little to enjoy what has been well done in art or poetry, to discriminate between what is more and what is less excellent in them, or to use words like beauty, excellence, art, poetry, with a more precise meaning than they would otherwise have.
Walter Pater's quote highlights the limitations of discussing art and poetry in abstract terms. He argues that such discussions fail to truly appreciate the excellence or beauty of a work, and instead, rely on vague terms like 'beauty' or 'excellence'. This quote encourages readers to engage with art and poetry on a more personal level, focusing on the specific qualities that make a work exceptional.
Pater's quote emphasizes the importance of concrete, specific analysis over abstract, theoretical discussions. It suggests that true appreciation of art and poetry requires a deep understanding of the work's unique qualities, rather than relying on general terms or concepts.
Walter Pater was an English author and art critic who wrote during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work was influenced by the Aesthetic movement, which emphasized the importance of beauty and art in everyday life. Pater's quote reflects his interest in the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world.
Walter Pater was born in 1839 in Staffordshire, England. He studied at Oxford University and later became a professor of poetry at the University of Oxford. Pater's writing often explored the intersection of art, literature, and philosophy, and his work had a significant influence on the development of modernist literature.
Pater's quote can be applied to everyday life by encouraging readers to engage with art and poetry on a more personal level. This can involve reading a poem multiple times to appreciate its unique qualities, or looking at a piece of art to understand its specific themes and motifs.