“An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.”

—  Jean Cocteau

As quoted in Newsweek (16 May 1955) Variant translation: Asking an artist to talk about his work is like asking a plant to discuss horticulture.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture." by Jean Cocteau?
Jean Cocteau photo
Jean Cocteau 123
French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, boxing manager … 1889–1963

Related quotes

Andrei Tarkovsky photo
Steven Curtis Chapman photo

“There’s obviously always danger in making music or art for art’s sake. Even as Christians we can be guilty of that, being more about the art than the Artist who gave us this gift.”

Steven Curtis Chapman (1962) American Christian music singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist

Press conference after 2007 GMA Music Awards http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5378840845486744543&q=steven+curtis+chapman

Gustave Courbet photo
Kate Bush photo

“The great thing about art on any level is that it can speak to all people if it’s achieved properly.”

Kate Bush (1958) British recording artist; singer, songwriter, musician and record producer

As quoted in "In conversation with Kate Bush" by Elio Iannacci in MacLeans (28 November 2016)
Context: The great thing about art on any level is that it can speak to all people if it’s achieved properly. When I’ve heard a piece of music or seen a painting that moves me, it gives me something. That’s such an incredibly special experience. I have intentions as a writer, but people — when they’re listening to a track — will take from it what they interpret. Sometimes people mishear my lyrics and think a song’s about something it isn’t. That doesn’t matter. If it speaks to them and they get something positive from it, it’s great.

Bram van Velde photo

“Art is not for the personal satisfaction of one or the other, but art wants to return all what’s in life… Art wants to give back everything what’s in our lives. The more comprehensive the artist stands in life the more powerful his work will speak, and therefore a work of art is a measure of the mental size of his creator.”

Bram van Velde (1895–1981) Dutch painter

Letter to H. E. Kramer, 25-10-1926, as quoted in: Bram van Velde, A Tribute, Municipal Museum De Lakenhal Leiden, Municipal Museum Schiedam, Museum de Wieger, Deurne 1994, p. 44 (English translation: Charlotte Burgmans)
1920's

Oscar Wilde photo
Alexis De Tocqueville photo
Thomas Fuller (writer) photo

“1953. Learn the art of Silence; the wise Man that holds his Tongue, says more than the Fool who speaks.”

Thomas Fuller (writer) (1654–1734) British physician, preacher, and intellectual

Introductio ad prudentiam: Part II (1727)

Related topics