“We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth, at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies…”- Pablo Picasso.
Art is a fine tool for conveying the profound messages of artists, writers, and musicians. With its help, they can awaken specific thoughts in people that will guide and influence their worldview. Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest artists, said that art is intended for the realization of truth and that artists should have skills capable of guiding people to this point. This is incredibly reliable for the works of such artists as William Blake, Claude Debussy, and Samuel Beckett, in which the authors attempt to convey the real motives and nature of human actions.
Pablo Picasso emphasizes that art has a false nature while following the goal of providing people with the truth. Hence, in the play by Samuel Beckett called “Waiting for Godot” (1953), the author presents a somewhat contradictory idea that salvation, which the characters are waiting for, is highly desirable but at the same time unattainable. With the help of a fictional story, the writer provides the truth, which may not always be pleasant for the audience.
The William Blake painting “The Ancient of Days” (1794) also has a religious motif. Relying on the image of Urizen’s god-like character, the artist denies that science can measure and explain everything, referring to the power of God in establishing order in the world of people (The Ancient of Days). The painting depicts a character similar to God, who, as it were, measures the world under heaven. The depicted action refers to one of the parts of the Bible, which says that the Almighty oversees everything that happens on Earth and all the actions committed by people. Therefore, despite the apparent simplicity of the image, it carries a profound religious message that the artist is trying to convey to people.
“La Cathédrale Engloutie” (1910) by Claude Debussy is a fictional work but carries an important message of truth, which is the need for people to be responsible for their sins. Convincing the audience in this message occurs through the use of musical impressionism. Despite the difficulty of transferring knowledge through a piece of music, the composer manages to point to it through the title of the work. It is taken from the ancient myth of a sunken castle that rises in calm weather from the bottom of the sea (Wilson). The flooding of the castle occurred due to the sinful actions of its inhabitants, which shows the consequences of actions performed for the benefit of sin.
In conclusion, art is a product of the lies of the authors who create it. At the same time, according to Picasso, it helps to expose the truth, which sometimes may seem contradictory. Henceforth, Blake, in his play, exposes the true nature of salvation, which is so appreciated and expected by people. At the same time, Debussy and Beckett extol the truth of religious aspects, pointing out the importance of taking responsibility for their sins and the vital role of God in ensuring order. Despite the different eras of the creation of these pieces of art, their main message can be correlated with a quote by Pablo Picasso.
Work Cited
“The Ancient of Days.” The History of Art, no date, Web.
Wilson, Frances. “Claude Debussy – La Cathédrale Engloutie (The Sunken Cathedral).” Interlude, 2020, Web.