Treat a work of art like a prince. Let it speak to you first

Treat a work of art like a prince. Let it speak to you first

Arthur Schopenhauer, a renowned German philosopher, once famously said, “Treat a work of art like a prince. Let it speak to you first.” This profound statement encapsulates the essence of how one should approach and appreciate art. Schopenhauer believed that art had the power to transcend the limitations of everyday life and connect us to a higher realm of existence. By treating a work of art with the reverence and respect due to a prince, we allow ourselves to be open to its message and let it speak to us in a way that is profound and transformative.

Schopenhauer’s philosophy on art was deeply influenced by his belief in the power of aesthetics to provide solace and meaning in a world filled with suffering and chaos. He saw art as a way to escape the confines of the mundane and connect with the universal truths that lie beyond our immediate experience. By approaching art with an open mind and allowing it to speak to us first, we can tap into this deeper level of understanding and experience the beauty and truth that art has to offer.