"The artist must be in his work as God is in creation, invisible and all-powerful; one must sense him everywhere but never see him"
- Gustave Flaubert
About this Quote
In this quote, Gustave Flaubert compares the role of an artist to that of God in development. He suggests that like God, the artist must be invisible and all-powerful in their work. This implies that the artist's existence should be felt throughout their creation, but they themselves should stay hidden. This could be analyzed as a tip for artists to let their work speak for itself and not eclipse it with their own ego or existence. It also highlights the concept that real art is not about the artist, however rather about the effect it has on the audience. In general, Flaubert highlights the significance of the artist's function in producing something effective and meaningful without accentuating themselves.
"I was married to Margaret Joan Howe in 1940. Although not a scientist herself she has contributed more to my work than anyone else by providing a peaceful and happy home"