A meaningful life - this is what we look for in art, in its

"A meaningful life - this is what we look for in art, in its smallest dewdrops as in its unleashing of the tempest. We are at peace when we have found it and uneasy when we have not." These words, spoken by Bjornstjerne Bjornson, echo through the corridors of time, reminding us of the deep human need for meaning, for purpose, for the sense that our existence, however fleeting, matters. Art, in its many forms, has always been one of the most profound means through which we search for this meaning. Whether in the delicate, fleeting beauty of a dewdrop or in the raw, uncontrollable tempest of emotions and passions, art becomes the lens through which we explore the essence of life itself. Through it, we find both the fragility and the power of existence.

In the world of the ancients, the quest for a meaningful life was central to the greatest philosophers and poets. Socrates, that legendary figure of wisdom, spent his life questioning the nature of virtue, justice, and the soul’s purpose. His dialogues, recorded by Plato, show a man obsessed with the idea of meaning—a search for a deeper understanding of life that transcended material concerns. Socrates believed that only through knowledge, through the pursuit of truth and self-understanding, could one achieve a life that was truly meaningful. Bjornson’s words echo this philosophy, suggesting that meaning, like art, is both a quest and a revelation, something we seek, something we must find in order to achieve peace within ourselves.

The great poet and artist Homer, too, captured the essence of this search for meaning. His epic works, the Iliad and the Odyssey, speak of heroes, gods, and the trials of human existence, but they are also about finding meaning in the midst of chaos. Achilles, the greatest of the Greek warriors, faces not only external battles but an internal struggle for meaning. His journey, filled with both joy and suffering, is an exploration of the purpose behind the actions of men and the inevitability of death. In Homer’s work, as in Bjornson’s reflection, the great forces of life—the tempests of love, loss, and war—are depicted as forces that drive the human quest for meaning. Just as Achilles sought peace through understanding his role in the world, so too do we seek meaning in the tumult of our own lives.

In modern times, Vincent van Gogh, the artist whose paintings have become synonymous with emotional depth, embodied this search for meaning through his art. Van Gogh’s work speaks of inner turmoil, but also of the beauty he found in the smallest moments—the swirls of a starry night, the blooming of flowers, the simple strokes of color on canvas. For him, art was the means by which he understood the world—a way to explore the fleeting beauty of life, its suffering, and its joys. His unleashing of the tempest through bold brushstrokes was his way of confronting the complexity of his emotions and experiences. In his work, he found peace, not by avoiding the turmoil of life, but by expressing it in a way that brought him closer to understanding. Bjornson’s words resonate with van Gogh’s life, showing that meaning is not simply found in serenity but in the deep exploration of life’s full spectrum.

The story of Mahatma Gandhi also offers a profound reflection on the search for meaning. Through his commitment to nonviolent resistance, Gandhi sought to create a meaningful life not only for himself but for the Indian people. His struggle against British colonialism was not just about political freedom, but about human dignity and justice. Gandhi’s life was an embodiment of the belief that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of righteous purpose. Like Bjornson’s concept of meaning, Gandhi’s quest was one of peace, and he found it through the pursuit of justice and truth in the face of overwhelming oppression. His meaningful life was forged in the fires of struggle, a testament to the power of selflessness and moral clarity.

Bjornson’s words remind us that meaning is not something handed to us on a silver platter, but something we must actively seek, through art, through struggle, and through our own inner journeys. The search for meaning is universal, and when we find it, we feel peace—a deep, abiding peace that resonates within the soul. But when we are adrift, when we cannot see the purpose in our lives, we feel uneasy, restless, and lost. The tempests of life can be overwhelming, but it is through them that we often find our deepest insights and our greatest strengths. The lesson here is that meaning is not simply about finding calm waters, but about embracing both the storm and the stillness, knowing that both are part of the same journey.

In practical terms, we are called to seek meaning in our own lives. Let us engage with the world through the lens of art, whether through creative expression or through the everyday acts of living with intention. Let us search for purpose in our relationships, in our work, and in the challenges we face. Embrace the moments of peace, but do not shy away from the tempests. For it is in both that we find the full expression of what it means to live meaningfully. Like Socrates, van Gogh, and Gandhi, we must commit ourselves to the quest for meaning—a quest that will lead us to the peace we seek, and to a life lived with purpose. Let this be the legacy we pass on: a world where we not only survive but thrive, by seeking and finding meaning in every moment.