Full Idea
Historical interpretation enables us to see a work of art as its author saw it in the moment of production.
Gist of Idea
Historical interpretation aims to recapture the author's view of the work
Source
Benedetto Croce (Aesthetic as Science of Expression [1902], §II), quoted by W Wimsatt/W Beardsley - The Intentional Fallacy §II
Book Reference
'Philosophy Looks at the Arts', ed/tr. Margolis,Joseph [Charles Scribner 1962], p.94
A Reaction
Wimsatt and Beardsley quote this as the romantic antithesis of their own view, but there is a blurring between understanding a work and judging. Personally I consider intentions essential for understanding, and valuable for judgement.