Schiller (1758-1805) held that the aim of art is beauty, the source of which is pleasure without practical advantage.
These definitions do not wholly satisfy. They do not accord to art the dignified position it should hold in social development. But there are others who have a clearer vision. Fichte (1762-1814) said that beauty exists not in the visible world but in the beautiful soul, and that art is the manifestation of this beautiful soul, and that its aim is the education of the whole man.
In this we begin to see the real nature and activity of art. There are other aestheticians who define art in much the same way.
Shaftesbury (1670-1713) said that beauty is recognized by the mind only. God is fundamental beauty.
Hegel (1770-1831) said: “Art is God manifesting himself in the form of beauty. Beauty is the idea shining through matter. Art is a means of bringing to consciousness and expressing the deepest problems of humanity and the highest truths.” According to Hegel beauty and truth are one and the same thing.
Thus we see that the great thinkers of the world make art of supreme importance in the perfecting of the human race. They all agree that art is not in material objects, but is a condition and activity of spirit. They agree in the main that beauty and truth emanate from the same source. Said Keats:
“Beauty is truth and truth beauty,
That is all ye know on earth and all ye need know.”
Said Schelling: “Beauty is the perception of the Infinite in the finite.”
But perhaps the highest concept of art is from the great artist Whistler. He said: “Art is an expression of eternal absolute truth, and starting from the Infinite it cannot progress, IT IS.”