"And, since the model he faithfully copies is not going to be hung up next to the picture, since the picture is going to be there on its own, it is of no interest whether it is an accurate copy of the model"
- Lucian Freud
About this Quote
The quote by Lucian Freud addresses the relationship between art, representation, and the autonomy of the artwork. Freud suggests that the worth or success of a painting, or any artwork, does not depend upon its fidelity to the source or design it professes to illustrate. The immediate implication is that once an artwork is completed and provided, it stands alone and undergoes interpretation independent of its referent.
This perspective challenges traditional views of art as a mirror of truth. Historically, much of Western art focused on capturing similarity and accurate representation. Nevertheless, Freud suggests that slavish fidelity to a model might be irrelevant since the painting will eventually promote itself. The lack of the model along with the artwork implies that audiences will connect with and interpret the piece in isolation, without referral to the original topic. This autonomy suggests that the creative process includes more than replication; it consists of interpretation, expression, and the creation of something brand-new.
Freud's stance lines up with more comprehensive modernist ideas where psychological truth and subjective expression end up being main. This freedom from rigorous adherence to the source product fosters an environment where artists can imbue their deal with individual vision. As a result, the painting acquires its own life, capturing not simply the physical look but an essence, mood, or feeling that transcends mere similarity.
Additionally, Freud's method invites a more comprehensive reflection on how worth and significance in art are constructed. It emphasizes the unique capability of a painting to evoke feelings, thoughts, or a connection that can not be reduced to technical accuracy. By releasing the obligation to perfectly replicate, artists are free to check out much deeper aspects of human experience and imagination. In summary, Lucian Freud's quote recommends that the ultimate accomplishment of a piece of art lies in its capability to impact and resonate, untethered from the rigorous demands of representational fidelity.
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