is not able to give real things or imitations of real things... what it offers is offered on its own terms, strained through the artist's selections and judgments, and then through the specific techniques which he used to present them.

Art is not life, nor a reproduction of life, but a representation carried out within the specific terms, conversions and limitations of the particular art used. Hence, absolute truth, with reference to objective fact, is not to be found in the business. The most realistic art is considerably removed from reality. Art does not give real things or imitations of real things. The thing that art gives is strained first through the artist's selections and judgments, and then through the specific techniques which he used to present them. If you are to enjoy an art, you must first accept its terms. (Thomas Hart Benton)

Thomas Hart BentonThinkers

Thomas Hart Benton