“Romantic art deals with the exception and with the individual. Good people, belonging as they do to the normal, and so, commonplace type, are artistically uninteresting.”
- 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
“Romantic art deals with the exception and with the individual. Good people, belonging as they do to the normal, and so, commonplace type, are artistically uninteresting.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde distinguishes between the romantic approach to art, which focuses on the exceptional and the individual, and more conventional depictions of good people, which he finds artistically uninteresting. Romantic art, in Wilde’s view, thrives on the portrayal of extraordinary individuals—those who stand out from the norm and whose lives or actions defy convention. These are the people who, due to their uniqueness, offer the most inspiration and aesthetic appeal to artists. On the other hand, good people—those who fit into the normal, everyday mold—are seen as commonplace and lacking in the complexity or drama that makes them interesting subjects for artistic exploration.
Wilde is suggesting that art finds its power in exceptionality and individuality—qualities that often lie outside the realm of ordinary life and the average person. Goodness and normalcy, while virtuous, do not create the kinds of dramatic tension or unique insights that drive romantic art. This perspective aligns with Wilde’s aestheticism, which values beauty and individuality above moral or societal norms.
In modern contexts, this quote can be understood as a reflection on how art often gravitates toward the exceptional and the unconventional. It suggests that art is drawn to the extraordinary—the things and people who stand outside the normal or expected, as they offer more complexity and depth for artistic exploration. Wilde’s words encourage us to appreciate individuality and to understand that art often thrives on the portrayal of exceptional experiences or people, rather than conforming to what is considered ordinary or good.
