Full Idea
The many are the best judges of poetry and music; some judge some parts, some judge others, but their collective judgement is a verdict on all the parts.
Gist of Idea
The collective judgement of many people on art is better than that of an individual
Source
Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1281b08)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Sinclair,T.A. /Saunders,T. [Penguin 1992], p.203
A Reaction
No one seems to believe this in modern times, but it was a lot easier to spot good art before the invention of the camera, and Duchamp's wretched Fountain.