The 18th century coined the phrase “vanity of the artist” which basically follows in the footsteps of Plato’s declaration that beauty is dangerous and must be reined in to remain beautiful.
Types of Vanity in Art
Vanity is often seen as an undesirable quality in artists, but of course there are many different types of vanity. In this blog, we’ll explore the various forms of vanity and how they affect the way artists work.
There are many different forms of vanity that can affect the way artists work. We can divide them into two categories: self-promotion and self-criticism.
Self-promotion is when an artist focuses more on their own accomplishments than on the quality of their art. They may brag about their skills to friends, post photos of their work online, or give interviews to promote themselves. This type of vanity can lead to overconfidence and a lack of modesty, which can make the artist less likely to improve their craft.
Self-criticism is when an artist constantly compares their work to others’ and judges it harshly. They may feel like they have to create the best art possible or measure up to unrealistic expectations put forth by others. This type of vanity can lead to obsessive thinking and a tendency to overreach, which can result in bad art.
Vanity in Art
Art is one of the most amazing forms of self-expression and can be used to convey many different emotions. However, there is a certain level of vanity that often comes with being an artist. Much like people in any other profession, artists can be vain, obsessed with their looks, and difficult to work with.\n
Despite this commonality, there are also some great, down to earth artists out there who are easy to work with and appreciate feedback. Unfortunately, not all artists possess these qualities and can be very demanding and haughty. This can cause tension in any working relationship and severely diminished the quality of the finished product.\n
A good rule of thumb when dealing with artists is to be respectful and understanding. They will usually respond well to positive encouragement and constructive criticism. However, be sure to keep your criticism constructive in order to avoid angering them or causing a rift in the relationship.
Beauty From Vanity
So when it comes to beauty, do we really need to be so vain? I mean sure, society tells us that we need to look good, but is there a point where vanity goes too far? Well, in my opinion, there definitely is.
I know plenty of people who are perfectly happy with their own looks, regardless of how unassuming they may seem on the outside. They don’t need expensive makeup or clothes to make themselves feel Beautiful. But then there are the other half of the population who can’t help but compulsively shop and obsess over their appearance. They’re never content with just looking good…they have to LOOK GOOD.
I get it, I really do. We all want to feel beautiful, especially when we’re feeling down about ourselves. But does that always have to mean putting our vanity above everything else? Believe me, there are way more interesting and fulfilling things in life than obsessing over our appearances.
Ruin of the Beautiful
Art used to be a service to the community. However, with the advent of social media and other forms of self-promotion, many artists today see their work as a means to an end, not a means of conveying emotions and ideas. This attitude has destroyed the soul of art, leaving only the vanity of the artist behind.
The Vanity Of The Artist – In painting, sculpture and especially in photography, the artist often takes great pride in their work. Their creations are often evaluated in terms of beauty, skill and originality. However, as we have seen over and over again throughout history, art can also be a source of destruction. From the deliberate destruction of ancient temples and statues to the accidental destruction caused by weather or vandalism, artists have been known to cause great harm to public and private property. In some cases, the artist may even be motivated by ego rather than artistic intent.
The History of Vanity in the Arts
Vanity, commonly defined as an excessive or foolish concern with one’s own appearance, has been a part of the creative process for centuries. From ancient Egyptian tombs that depicted the deceased in exaggerated poses and grandiose costumes, to Impressionist paintings that focus on the beauty of the moment and everyday objects turned into works of art, artists have long displayed a vanity that is both obsessive and often self-destructive.
However, the history of vanity in the arts does not begin and end with the artists of today. In fact, it can be argued that vanity is one of the oldest features of human creativity. The Ancient Greeks were notorious for their penchant for showing off their physical well-being in sculptures and paintings. They would routinely depict themselves in exaggerated poses, as if they were beautiful gods or heroic warriors.
This obsession with physical beauty would continue into Roman times, when artists such as Michelangelo would spend hours creating lifelike statues of people such as Alexander the Great out of marble. Many historians believe that Michelangelo’s decision to create life-size statues rather than smaller scale renderings was driven by his own vanity – he wanted to make sure no one could ever argue that.
Conclusion
The article argues that art is not only a profession but an obsession as well. The author touches on the idea that artists put themselves first and their work second. They often pursue fame and fortune instead of honing their craft. This leads to their works being overrated because often times, people forget about the skill that went into creating them.
If there’s one thing the creative arts can teach us, it’s that vanity is a never-ending source of inspiration. From professional artists who obsess over their craft to everyday folk who work tirelessly to maintain their appearance, we all have something to learn from people with a little bit of narcissism in them.
In short, vanity can make us feel good about ourselves and help us take charge of our lives. So next time you catch yourself wondering why someone else is prettier or more successful than you, think about how her vanity might be helping her get over her insecurities and find success.
