Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse – this list of world-known artists who astonish with their unique approaches to art is far from being full. Sometimes, it is not easy or even impossible to understand the message of these people. However, with the help of Francis Bacon’s explanation that “the job of the artist is to always deepen the mystery,” the interpretation of artworks can be facilitated. Instead of believing that artists must educate or explain something, one should consider mystery as the key element of art, as well as human life, and the mission of artists is to keep a balance between what is revealed and what should be concealed.
Today, it turns out to be fashionable and even honorable to visit museums and exhibitions where the works of local artists and those from different parts of the world are introduced. People believe that they improve their understanding of the world, learn something important, and find new interpretations of old things. Among a variety of definitions of art, it is possible to say that it is one of the forms of education, and artists become the best educators who use their skills and experience. Still, the worth of life is not necessarily to know everything but to be able to enjoy what is given, leaving space for some mystery.
Unawareness should not be considered as a shortage or an obstacle that has to be overcome. The mystery is a crucial part of life that makes it more interesting and challenging (from a positive point of view). When people face something mysterious, they try to take multiple steps and use their best qualities to find out an answer. In other words, the mystery is the best motivator that promotes self-development, realization, and self-improvement. Therefore, it is expected that someone to create or, at least, deepen the mystery in order to provide a person with a sense of living and a goal to be achieved.
Artists have a perfect chance to use their imagination and observations to create what is actually needed for society. For example, in the book and the movie The Da Vinci Code, the events begin with his Mona Lisa painting and end with an impressive secrete of the Last Supper.
This story shows that people are in need of mystery even if they cannot realize it. When artists stop deepen the mystery in their works from a professional point of view, people start using their subjective opinions and evaluations to complicate and spoil their lives. Therefore, a true mission of an artist is not only to introduce a unique vision but to identify the edge of the mystery and reveal its piece to people, provoking new actions, decisions, and thinking.
In general, the idea of Bacon about the factual role of artists and their relation to the mystery in the world helps to establish correct attitudes towards art. In their intentions to find out the truth and reveal each unknown piece of the universe, people forget one fact – as soon as they reach the goal, they can lose the sense of being. Therefore, the task of artists is not only to present interesting projects that impress people but make sure they deepen the mystery that can stimulate an ordinary person to discover something bigger with time.