Quote by Thomas Wolfe, Of Time and the Ri
At that instant he saw, in one blaze of light, an image of unutterable conviction, the reason why the artist works and lives and has his being--the reward he seeks--the only reward he really cares about, without which there is nothing. It is to snare the spirits of mankind in nets of magic, to make his life prevail through his creation, to wreak the vision of his life, the rude and painful substance of his own experience, into the congruence of blazing and enchanted images that are themselves the core of life, the essential pattern whence all other things proceed, the kernel of eternity.
Summary
This quote describes the profound revelation experienced by an artist. In one powerful moment, the artist comprehends their ultimate purpose and driving force. It is not for material or external rewards that the artist works, but rather to captivate and enrapture the human spirit through their art. The artist seeks to make their life meaningful and enduring through their creations. By transforming their raw and painful experiences into vibrant and enchanting images, they align themselves with the fundamental essence of life, the very origin of all entities, and the eternal essence.