Great art is as irrational as great music. It is mad with its own loveliness.
This quote highlights the subjective nature of great art and music, suggesting that their beauty is not necessarily rational or logical. Instead, it is an emotional and intuitive experience that transcends reason. The quote implies that great art is not something that can be fully understood or explained, but rather it is something that must be felt and appreciated.
The quote emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and personal experience in appreciating great art and music. It suggests that the value of art lies not in its technical skill or intellectual understanding, but in its ability to evoke emotions and create a sense of connection with the viewer or listener.
The quote is likely a reflection of the early 20th-century modernist movement's emphasis on subjective experience and emotional expression. The quote's focus on the irrational and intuitive nature of great art and music may be seen as a response to the more rational and intellectual approaches to art that dominated the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
George Jean Nathan was an American journalist, playwright, and critic. He was a prominent figure in the New York City theater scene and was known for his witty and insightful reviews. Nathan's writing often explored the intersection of art and society, and he was particularly interested in the role of the artist in modern society.