Single Idea 22691

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 7. Art and Morality]

Full Idea

The only relevant qualities in art are artistic qualities: judged as a means to good, no other qualities are worth considering; for there are no qualities of greater moral value than artistic qualities, since there is no greater means to good than art.

Gist of Idea

Only artistic qualities matter in art, because they also have the highest moral value

Source

Clive Bell (Art [1913], II.III)

Book Reference

Bell,Clive: 'Art' [nk 2010], p.43


A Reaction

Wishful thinking, I suspect. I can't see anyone acquiring a moral education just by looking a Cezannes. This seems to be a late manifesto for the aesthetic movement.