Interpretation is the revenge of the intellectual upon art

Interpretation is the revenge of the intellectual upon art

Susan Sontag, a renowned American writer, filmmaker, and intellectual, was known for her thought-provoking essays on art, culture, and society. One of her most famous quotes, "Interpretation is the revenge of the intellectual upon art," encapsulates her belief that the act of interpreting art can sometimes diminish its inherent power and beauty.

Sontag believed that art should be experienced and appreciated on its own terms, without the need for excessive analysis or interpretation. She argued that when intellectuals impose their own interpretations onto works of art, they are essentially imposing their own biases and preconceptions onto the artwork, thereby limiting its potential for genuine emotional impact.