Art should never try to be popular. The public should try to make itself artistic.
Oscar Wilde’s quote, “Art should never try to be popular. The public should try to make itself artistic,” expresses his firm belief in the independence and integrity of art. Wilde argues that art should not lower its standards or alter its vision to appeal to the masses. Instead of artists shaping their work to fit public taste, Wilde insists it is the audience that should elevate its understanding and appreciation of artistic expression.
As a central figure in the Aesthetic Movement of the late 19th century, Wilde promoted the idea of “art for art’s sake,” which held that the value of art lies in its beauty, form, and emotional power, not in its popularity or moral utility. This quote reflects that philosophy—rejecting the notion that commercial success or public approval should define an artwork’s worth. Wilde believed that when art caters to trends or public opinion, it risks becoming shallow and losing its creative truth.
The phrase “the public should try to make itself artistic” is a challenge to society. Wilde believed that people should educate themselves, expand their aesthetic sensibilities, and develop a more refined relationship with art. Instead of demanding that art be easily accessible or pleasing, the public should engage with it more thoughtfully and open-mindedly—allowing themselves to grow through exposure to challenging or unconventional works.
Ultimately, Wilde’s quote defends the autonomy of the artist and the transformative power of art. It reminds us that true art doesn’t follow popularity—it leads, provokes, and invites elevation of thought. Wilde saw art as a force that could inspire and elevate humanity, but only if people were willing to rise to meet it, rather than demand that it come down to them.
Llun
I find Wilde's quote both inspiring and problematic. It’s bold to suggest that art shouldn’t cater to trends, but it also sounds like a dismissal of collective experience. Can’t public enthusiasm sometimes elevate art into something communal and enduring? Think of theater in Shakespeare’s time—it was popular but also profound. Maybe the best art exists in a tension between the artist’s vision and the public’s response.
NTNguyen Thi
This quote feels like a call for introspection—are we passive consumers of art, or are we active participants in culture? It makes me wonder how much responsibility we, as the public, should take in fostering creativity. What does it even mean to 'make oneself artistic'? Is it about taste, or about engaging in creation ourselves? I wish Wilde had elaborated on that.
HNhai nguyen
Is Wilde implying that popular art lacks depth? That feels dismissive of art forms like pop music, street art, or viral digital content. Can't something be popular and still be meaningful, even profound? Maybe his context was different, but I think there's a lot of art today that bridges popularity and substance. What would Wilde say about someone like Banksy or Beyoncé?
BH16 Bui huy
As a creative myself, I feel torn. On one hand, chasing popularity can water down artistic vision. But on the other, isn’t art meant to communicate? If we don’t consider the audience at all, are we just creating in a vacuum? Wilde’s view seems idealistic, but in today’s digital world, it feels harder than ever to ignore the need for visibility and engagement.
TTNguyen Tan Tai
This quote makes me think about the role of education in shaping public taste. Is Wilde suggesting that society is failing to cultivate artistic literacy? If so, how can we shift that? Should schools be placing more emphasis on art appreciation? Or is this just an unrealistic expectation that assumes everyone has equal time and resources to engage with the arts at a deeper level?