“There is but one art, to omit.”
As cited in The Harper Book of Quotations, Revised Edition (1993), Ed. R. Fitzhenry, HarperCollins, p. 498 : ISBN 0062732137, 9780062732132
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Robert Louis Stevenson 118
Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer 1850–1894Related quotes
“Fifty Years of American Poetry”, pp. 322–323
The Third Book of Criticism (1969)
Quote of Ad Reinhardt (1963); as cited in: Joseph Kosuth, (1969), " Art after Philosophy http://www.ubu.com/papers/kosuth_philosophy.html"
1956 - 1967
Variant: The one thing to say about art is that it is one thing. Art is art-as-art and everything else is everything else. Art as art is nothing but art. Art is not what is not art.
Source: 1956 - 1967, Art-as-Art Dogma' part II, (1964), p. 155

“One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.”

Jean-Christophe (1904 - 1912), Journey's End: The Burning Bush (1911)
Context: "Thou art not alone, and thou dost not belong to thyself. Thou art one of My voices, thou art one of My arms. Speak and strike for Me. But if the arm be broken, or the voice be weary, then still I hold My ground: I fight with other voices, other arms than thine. Though thou art conquered, yet art thou of the army which is never vanquished. Remember that and thou wilt fight even unto death."
"Lord, I have suffered much!"
"Thinkest thou that I do not suffer also? For ages death has hunted Me and nothingness has lain in wait for Me. It is only by victory in the fight that I can make My way. The river of life is red with My blood."
"Fighting, always fighting?"
"We must always fight. God is a fighter, even He Himself. God is a conqueror. He is a devouring lion. Nothingness hems Him in and He hurls it down. And the rhythm of the fight is the supreme harmony. Such harmony is not for thy mortal ears. It is enough for thee to know that it exists. Do thy duty in peace and leave the rest to the Gods."
Source: 1956 - 1967, Art-as-Art Dogma' part II, (1964), p. 158

“There is
one art,
no more,
no less:
to do
all things
with art-
lessness.”
Ars Brevis
Grooks
Source: 1956 - 1967, Art-as-Art Dogma' part II, (1964), p. 154