“Let us have no machine-made ornament at all; it is all bad and worthless and ugly.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
Quote
“Let us have no machine-made ornament at all; it is all bad and worthless and ugly.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde expresses his disdain for machine-made ornamentation, which he deems as soulless, inferior, and ugly. Wilde’s statement reflects his belief in the value of craftsmanship and artistry in design, rejecting mass-produced, industrialized products that lack the personal touch or creative spirit of hand-made art. He is particularly critical of the rise of machine-made goods during the Industrial Revolution, which he saw as diminishing the value of traditional artistic expression and individual creativity. In Wilde’s view, true beauty lies in the uniqueness and artistry of objects, and mass-produced items fail to embody the soul of the artist who creates them.
Wilde’s sentiment here aligns with his broader philosophy of aestheticism, which prioritizes art and beauty above function or practicality. He believed that art should be about expression and beauty, not just efficiency or mass production. For Wilde, machine-made products lacked the individuality and authenticity that give art its true value.
In modern contexts, this quote can be interpreted as a critique of consumer culture and the rise of mass production in today’s society. Wilde’s words encourage us to reflect on the value of handcrafted, personalized, and artistic creations in an age where industrial design and mass-produced goods often dominate. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining a sense of authenticity and craftsmanship in the things we create and consume, especially in a world increasingly focused on efficiency over aesthetic quality.
