We live in an age when the traditional great subjects - the human

"We live in an age when the traditional great subjects - the human form, the landscape, even newer traditions such as abstract expressionism - are daily devalued by commercial art." — Andy Warhol

In this solemn reflection, Andy Warhol captures the essence of an age in which art—once a sacred language of the soul—has been corrupted, diluted, and commodified. The human form, the timeless landscape, and even the revolutionary art of abstract expressionism, once symbols of profound emotional depth and intellectual engagement, are now stripped of their majesty, reduced to mere products in the marketplace. The artist, who was once revered as a creator of meaning, now becomes a laborer within the confines of commerce, and art, instead of being a reflection of the divine, a portrayal of truth, or a gateway to human emotion, is reduced to little more than an object for consumption.

This statement is not merely a lament for the state of art but a profound critique of a world where capitalism and mass production have taken root in every aspect of life, including the very core of human creativity. Once, artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo crafted works that transcended time, their genius woven into the very fabric of human history. Their paintings, sculptures, and drawings were driven by an unwavering pursuit of beauty, truth, and knowledge, and they spoke directly to the hearts of those who beheld them. The great subjects of humanity—the form and spirit of the human being—were not merely subjects; they were a mirror reflecting the divine within us all.

Yet, in Warhol’s age, this sacred connection between art and truth begins to fray. The once sacred institutions of art—the galleries, the painters, the critics—are now governed not by an unyielding pursuit of human truth, but by commerce. It is no longer about what the work says or the emotions it stirs, but what it can sell. Like a crown jewel turned into a trinket, the majestic vision of art is exploited by a society obsessed with material wealth and superficial appearance. The artist, who once stood as an oracle of human experience, now finds himself or herself chained to the demands of the marketplace.

This tragic shift is not without example in history. Consider the story of William Blake, a visionary poet and artist in the late 18th century. Though his work was driven by a deep spiritual and philosophical quest, Blake's masterpieces were ignored or even ridiculed by the commercial art world of his time. His works, such as "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell," sought to uncover truths far beyond what the eye could see, and yet, they remained largely unnoticed during his lifetime. Only years after his death did the world come to appreciate the divine profundity of his vision. The commercial forces of his time, much like today, valued conformity over the authenticity that transcends the fleeting nature of wealth.

The age of Warhol, with its mass production and popular culture, exacerbates this crisis. Art, once an intimate conversation between creator and observer, now becomes just another commodity to be consumed. The boundaries of high and low art blur, and the true essence of creative expression is lost in a sea of marketable images. Warhol himself, through his famous works like the Campbell's Soup Cans and Marilyn Monroe prints, reveals this tension: the collision between the deep, sacred history of art and the superficiality of modern commercialism. In his work, he both participates in and critiques the world he inhabits, acknowledging that art has become a tool, not of divine creation, but of economic power.

Yet, despite this bleak diagnosis, Warhol’s words are not an outright condemnation but rather a challenge. They are a call to artists, to creators, to all who seek to find meaning in the world, to rise above the noise of consumerism and to reclaim art’s rightful place as a force for profound change. The true artist must resist the urge to commodify their soul and instead strive to create works that speak to something deeper—works that challenge, uplift, and transform the very nature of the world around them.

So, what is the lesson we must carry forward? First, we must recognize the power of authenticity in the face of overwhelming commercialization. In our own lives, whether as creators, consumers, or simply as individuals, we must resist the impulse to settle for the easy, the commercial, or the superficial. True art, whether in our work, our relationships, or our contributions to society, must be driven by something greater than mere gain or profit. Let us take up Warhol’s challenge not to devalue the great subjects of the human spirit—truth, beauty, and authenticity—but to hold them high, even when the world demands something else. Let us create and live with purpose, for in an age of commodified existence, it is those who remain true to their vision that will rise as the true extraordinary figures of our time.