Single Idea 20427

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 2. Aesthetic Attitude]

Full Idea

It is only when an object exists for no other purpose than to be seen that we really look at it, …and then even the most normal person adopts to some extent the artistic attitude of pure vision abstracted from necessity.

Gist of Idea

Everyone reveals an aesthetic attitude, looking at something which only exists to be seen

Source

Roger Fry (An Essay in Aesthetics [1909], p.29)

Book Reference

Fry,Roger: 'Vision and Design' [Penguin 1937], p.29


A Reaction

A painter of still life looks at things which exist for other purposes, with just the attitude which Fry attributes to the viewers of the paintings. We can encourage a child to look at a flower with just this attitude.