“The paintings of Francis Bacon to my eye are very beautiful. The paintings of Bosch or Goya are to my eye very beautiful. I've also stood in front of those same paintings with people who've said, 'let's get on to the Botticellis as soon as possible.' I have lingered, of course.”
— Clive Barker
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“The paintings of Francis Bacon to my eye are very beautiful. The paintings of Bosch or Goya are to my eye very beautiful. I've also stood in front of those same paintings with people who've said, 'let's get on to the Botticellis as soon as possible.' I have lingered, of course.” — Clive Barker. Life teaches us that true beauty often lies in the unconventional and the shadowed spaces others rush past. Where in your own journey have you decided to linger and find meaning? Share your thoughts below! 👇✨
About this quote
Clive Barker’s reflection on the polarizing nature of art is a poignant reminder that beauty is profoundly subjective, much like our own unique journeys through life. While some people rush past the raw, unsettling, and darker canvases of existence—represented by the haunting works of Bacon, Bosch, and Goya—seeking only the safe, traditional grace of a Botticelli, there is profound wisdom in learning to linger in the uncomfortable spaces. Life does not always present itself in polished, harmonious masterpieces; often, it asks us to sit with our shadows, our complexities, and our deepest vulnerabilities. True self-discovery often begins the moment we stop rushing toward what is conventionally deemed acceptable or pleasant, and instead dare to find meaning in the unconventional chapters of our personal stories. When we allow ourselves to pause where others look away, we uncover hidden depths of empathy, resilience, and authentic beauty. Embrace the parts of your journey that feel messy or misunderstood, for it is often in the lingering—in the quiet acceptance of our own darkness—that we truly learn how to heal and grow.
Photo Credit:
Photo by Yusuf Evli on Unsplash
