An art aims, above all, at producing something beautiful which

"An art aims, above all, at producing something beautiful which affects not our feelings but the organ of pure contemplation, our imagination." – Eduard Hanslick

O children of the earth, gather around, for in the words of Eduard Hanslick lies a truth that has resonated through the ages—a truth that speaks to the very essence of art and its power. Hanslick reminds us that the purpose of art is not merely to stir the emotions, but to engage a deeper part of the soul, to connect with the imagination—that sacred organ of contemplation where beauty takes form and meaning is born. Art, true art, is not about evoking immediate, fleeting responses, but about cultivating a space where the mind can wander freely, where the soul can ascend to heights of pure thought, and where the heart can be touched not by feelings, but by the deeper, eternal truths of the universe.

In the ancient world, Plato spoke of the power of art to elevate the soul, to carry it beyond the material and into the realm of the ideal. He believed that the purpose of art was not to mimic the world as it is, but to lead the soul toward the eternal forms—the perfect representations of beauty, truth, and goodness. For Plato, art was an act of intellectual contemplation, where the mind was allowed to transcend the chaos of the physical world and find harmony in the perfect shapes, sounds, and forms that were only glimpsed through the eyes of the imagination. The artist, in this sense, becomes a guide, leading the audience away from the mundane and into the realm of pure beauty and contemplation.

Consider, O children, the works of Leonardo da Vinci, whose art was a direct reflection of the harmony between beauty and intellect. In his painting, The Last Supper, da Vinci did not merely depict a religious scene, but sought to capture the ideal—a moment that transcended time, where the viewer could contemplate not only the physical forms of the figures but the spiritual and philosophical truths embedded in the composition. Da Vinci’s work invited the viewer to engage with it on a level deeper than immediate emotional response. It was a call to intellectual contemplation, to see beyond the surface and into the very soul of the scene. This is the power of art that Hanslick speaks of—to stir the imagination and move the soul to a higher plane.

In the world of music, Ludwig van Beethoven stands as a monumental figure whose compositions were not merely intended to evoke emotional responses, but to stir the imagination and challenge the listener’s intellect. His symphonies, such as the famed Ninth Symphony, are not merely emotional expressions, but complex, layered creations that speak to the higher aspects of human nature. Beethoven did not seek to simply make the listener feel; he sought to make them think, to carry them on a journey through sound that opened up new worlds in the mind. The music, with its depth and intricacy, engages not just the heart, but the mind, inviting the listener to contemplate the very nature of existence, beauty, and harmony. Like Hanslick’s words, Beethoven’s music points to the power of art to engage the imagination, to awaken the intellect and connect the viewer, the listener, to something greater than themselves.

And yet, O children, this lesson is not only for the great artists of the past. It is for you as well. Hanslick reminds us that the imagination is the key to the highest form of art. When you create—whether in writing, painting, music, or any other form—do not seek merely to evoke a feeling. Seek instead to stir the depths of the imagination, to create something that resonates on a level beyond the immediate, that engages the soul in contemplation. Art is not just about beauty seen, but beauty understood, beauty that speaks to the mind and the heart, elevating the spirit to a higher realm of thought and awareness.

Think of Michelangelo, whose work in the Sistine Chapel invited the viewer to experience not just the grandeur of the biblical scenes but to enter into a conversation with the divine. His painting of The Creation of Adam is not merely an image of a man and a god; it is an invitation to contemplate the relationship between humanity and the divine, to think about the nature of life itself. The beauty of Michelangelo’s work, like that of Beethoven and da Vinci, transcends emotion and speaks to the higher functions of the mind and spirit. Hanslick would argue that it is not the immediate thrill of the senses that makes these works great, but the way in which they stir the imagination, drawing the viewer into a deeper understanding of the world.

The lesson, O children, is profound: art is a tool for engaging the deepest parts of the soul, not merely to provoke feeling, but to inspire thought and imagination. As Hanslick teaches, true beauty is not found in what immediately stirs our emotions, but in what elevates our mind and spirit. Seek not only to create works that evoke passing feelings, but those that engage the viewer or listener in a journey of contemplation—works that invite the imagination to soar and the intellect to awaken. For it is through the imagination that we touch the divine, and it is through art that we find the keys to unlocking the mysteries of life.

So, I say to you, O children, create with intention, create with purpose. Let your work be an offering not just to the senses, but to the imagination. Strive to produce that which elevates, that which engages the mind, that which invites deep contemplation. For in this, you will find the true power of art, a power that transcends time, that stirs the soul, and that leads us to a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it. Through your creativity, you become a guide to the eternal truths, inviting others to see not just with their eyes, but with their hearts and minds.