The greatest masters have only made single statues, groups are always inferior; that is why Carpeaux, big though he was, is less so than Rodin, for he never knew how to make single statues. He did not know how to find his rhythm in the arrangement of the shapes of one body, but obtained it by the disposition of several. The great sculptors are there to prove it. Think of the masterpieces which we like most, all standing or seated, and one at a time, and they are not in the least monotonous. The connoisseur loves one spicy cake, but the glutton requires at least six to stimulate his pleasure. H.S. Ede
About This Quote

The work of great masters is limited to a single body, whereas those of lesser artists are able to create more than one piece. In this quote, the author describes how a great artist can create a single piece that is superior to many individual works. Masterpieces are comprised of a single body and can be appreciated as a whole. Many artists have been able to create two or more works of art, but they are not considered as great as a single work by one artist.

For example, a movie may have progressed from a script to a storyboard, then to an animatic and finally taken form as a film. However, once the film has been finished it is considered as one piece and is often praised by critics.

Source: Savage Messiah

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More Quotes By H.S. Ede
  1. The world is corrupt, and the way for me to make it better is not by writing letters, but joining my efforts with those of others to produce a work of beauty.
  2. The greatest masters have only made single statues, groups are always inferior; that is why Carpeaux, big though he was, is less so than Rodin, for he never knew how to make single statues. He did not know how to find his rhythm in the...
  3. A great artist is conscious of the talent and the power he possesses, otherwise he would not see his faults, and so would not be able to improve.
  4. Now that I have definitely begun to live I find myself more and more convinced that civilization with its trappings and artificialities is not so good as nature.
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