Joseph Conrad Quotes about Art

Imagination, not invention, is the supreme master of art as of life.

Imagination, not invention, is the supreme master of art as of life.

Joseph Conrad

Art, Writing, Imagination

Some Reminiscences ch. 1 (1912)

Art is long and life is short, and success is very far off.

Joseph Conrad

Art, Writing, Life Is Short

Joseph Conrad (1962). “The Nigger of the 'Narcissus'”, p.6, Gottfried & Fritz

Few men realize that their life, the very essence of their character, their capabilities and their audacities, are only the expression of their belief in the safety of their surroundings.

Joseph Conrad

Art, Philosophy, Character

Joseph Conrad (2014). “Joseph Conrad The Dover Reader”, p.155, Courier Corporation

All creative art is magic, is evocation of the unseen in forms persuasive, enlightening, familiar and surprising.

Joseph Conrad

Art, Creativity, Creative

Joseph Conrad (2015). “The Complete Novels of Joseph Conrad - All 20 Works in One Premium Edition: Including Unforgettable Titles like Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim, The Secret Agent, Nostromo, Under Western Eyes and Many More (With Author’s Letters, Memoirs and Critical Essays)”, p.4543, e-artnow

[The artist] speaks to our capacity for delight and wonder, to the sense of mystery surrounding our lives; to our sense of pity, and beauty, and pain; to the latent feeling of fellowship with all creation--and to the subtle but invincible conviction of solidarity in dreams, in joy, in sorrow, in aspirations, in illusions, in hope, in fearwhich binds together all humanity--the dead to the living and the living to the unborn.

Joseph Conrad

Dream, Art, Pain

Joseph Conrad (2007). “The Portable Conrad”, p.48, Penguin

Any work that aspires, however humbly, to the condition of art should carry its justification in every line.

Joseph Conrad

Art, Lines, Should

The Nigger of the Narcissus preface (1897)

History repeats itself, but the special call of an art which has passed away is never reproduced. It is as utterly gone out of the world as the song of a destroyed wild bird.

Joseph Conrad

Song, Art, History

Joseph Conrad (2015). “Joseph Conrad’s Sea Tales - Premium Collection: An Outcast of the Islands, The Nigger of the ‘Narcissus’, A Smile of Fortune, Typhoon and more: Classics of World Literature from One of the Greatest English Novelists (Including Author’s Memoirs, Letters & Critical Essays)”, p.1238, e-artnow

The artist appeals to that part of our being which is not dependent on wisdom; to that in us which is a gift and not an acquisition-and therefore, more permanently enduring. He speaks to our capacity for delight and wonder, to the sense of mystery surrounding our lives; to our sense of pity, and beauty and pain.

Joseph Conrad

Art, Pain, Acquisition

The Nigger of the Narcissus preface (1897)

All creative art is magic , is evocation of the unseen in forms persuasive, enlightening, familiar and surprising, for the edification of mankind , pinned down by the conditions of its existence to the earnest consideration of the most insignificant tides of reality .

Joseph Conrad

Art, Creativity, Reality

Joseph Conrad (2015). “The Complete Novels of Joseph Conrad - All 20 Works in One Premium Edition: Including Unforgettable Titles like Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim, The Secret Agent, Nostromo, Under Western Eyes and Many More (With Author’s Letters, Memoirs and Critical Essays)”, p.4543, e-artnow

Only in men's imagination does every truth find an effective and undeniable existence. Imagination, not invention, is the supreme master of art as of life.

Joseph Conrad

Life, Art, Writing

Some Reminiscences ch. 1 (1912)

There is a subtle and unmistakable touch of love and pride, beyond mere skill, almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art - which is art.

Joseph Conrad

Love, Art, Inspiration

Joseph Conrad (2015). “The Complete Novels of Joseph Conrad - All 20 Works in One Premium Edition: Including Unforgettable Titles like Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim, The Secret Agent, Nostromo, Under Western Eyes and Many More (With Author’s Letters, Memoirs and Critical Essays)”, p.4390, e-artnow

The end (goal) of art is to figure the hidden meaning of things and not their appearance; for in this profound truth lies their true reality, which does not appear in their external outlines.

Joseph Conrad

Art, Lying, Reality