Man, became man through work, who stepped out of the animal kingdom as transformer of the natural into the artificial, who became therefore the magician, man the creator of social reality, will always stay the great magician, will always be Prometheus bringing fire from heaven to earth, will always be Orpheus enthralling nature with his music. Not until humanity itself dies will art die.

Summary

This quote asserts that man's identity is intertwined with work and the ability to transform the natural world into something artificial. It suggests that humans are inherently creative and possess the power to shape their social reality. The comparison to Prometheus implies that humans will continue to discover and create new wonders, just like the mythical figure who brought fire from heaven. The mention of Orpheus highlights the eternal enchantment of art and how it captivates and resonates with nature. Ultimately, the quote suggests that as long as humanity exists, art will never cease to exist.

Topics