“Art is not the application of a canon of beauty but what the instinct and the brain can conceive beyond any canon. When we love a woman we don’t start measuring her limbs.”
- October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973
- Born in Spain
- Painter, sculptor, printmaker
- Founder of Cubism, he had a revolutionary influence on 20th century art, leaving behind masterpieces such as “Guernica”
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Quote
“Art is not the application of a canon of beauty but what the instinct and the brain can conceive beyond any canon. When we love a woman we don’t start measuring her limbs.”
Explanation
In this quote, Picasso challenges the traditional ideas of beauty in art and asserts that true art is not about adhering to established rules or standards. He emphasizes that art is born from instinct and imagination, allowing the artist to transcend conventional notions of beauty or symmetry. By comparing art to love, Picasso suggests that just as we do not analyze or judge a loved one through rigid measurements or criteria, art should not be confined by any formal “canon” of what is considered beautiful. Instead, art is an expression of the unique, subjective experiences and emotional truths that arise from the artist’s mind and instinct.
This perspective is highly relevant in today’s world, where ideas of beauty and artistic expression continue to evolve. Modern artists, like Picasso himself, have repeatedly broken away from traditional forms and standards, embracing new techniques and perspectives that challenge the status quo. By focusing on the essence of a subject rather than conforming to a set of external rules, artists can explore the deeper, often more complex aspects of the human experience. Picasso’s view is a celebration of the freedom to create and to express beyond the boundaries of societal expectations or historical standards of beauty.
An example of this can be seen in abstract art or modern fashion, where the focus is often on the emotional impact or the idea behind the work rather than traditional ideals of aesthetic beauty. Designers like Vivienne Westwood or artists like Jackson Pollock created works that defied conventional ideas of beauty, choosing instead to explore raw, expressive forms that connected with deeper, more personal themes. Picasso’s quote reminds us that true artistic expression comes from freedom—from trusting one’s instincts and going beyond the prescribed definitions of what is considered beautiful or appropriate.
