Welcome to a curated collection of insightful quotes by the renowned American abstract artist, Ad Reinhardt. An influential figure in the realm of abstract expressionism, Reinhardt’s profound observations on art, aesthetics, and creativity continue to resonate with artists, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. Through his paintings, writings, and teachings, Reinhardt left an indelible mark on the art world, challenging conventional notions of form, color, and meaning.
Ad Reinhardt’s philosophy on art transcends the boundaries of his time, offering timeless wisdom that inspires reflection and introspection. His commitment to purity and simplicity in artistic expression is evident in his famous Black Paintings, which explore the depths of perception and interpretation. As we delve into Reinhardt’s quotes, we invite you to explore the nuances of artistic vision and contemplate the transformative power of abstraction. Below, you’ll find a selection of quotes that encapsulate Reinhardt’s profound insights and artistic ethos, awaiting your creative interpretation and application.
Now almost every artist outside of New York is connected with some school or some museum school, and even in New York the majority are. That’s an interesting fact when you take the idea of making money, making a living selling paintings. Only a dozen or two painters do that. Ad Reinhardt
If some student came up and wanted to know where to study painting, you’d want to suggest someplace, but there’s no place. I wouldn’t know where to send a student to study. Ad Reinhardt
Sculpture is something you bump into when you back up to look at a painting. Ad Reinhardt
Only a bad artist thinks he has a good idea. A good artist does not need anything. Ad Reinhardt
Art is too serious to be taken seriously. Ad Reinhardt
I tried to oppose the academic to the marketplace. Ad Reinhardt
The job at Brooklyn is interesting because Brooklyn reflects what happened to university art departments everywhere. It might be the worst department now, and yet at one point it was the best in the country. Ad Reinhardt
I taught a lot of art history, especially Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. But the painting classes came back. The nudes came back. Not so much the still lifes. So now our department is the worst department, partly because it has the worst facilities. Ad Reinhardt
Art is Art. Everything else is everything else. Ad Reinhardt