'Artist' by Robert Service


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He gave a picture exhibition,
Hiring a little empty shop.
Above its window: FREE ADMISSION
Cajoled the passers-by to stop;
Just to admire - no need to purchase,
Although his price might have been low:
But no proud artist ever urges
Potential buyers at his show.

Of course he badly needed money,
But more he needed moral aid.
Some people thought his pictures funny,
Too ultra-modern, I'm afraid.
His painting was experimental,
Which no poor artist can afford-
That is, if he would pay the rental
And guarantee his roof and board.

And so some came and saw and sniggered,
And some a puzzled brow would crease;
And some objected: "Well, I'm jiggered!"
What price Picasso and Matisse?
The artist sensitively quivered,
And stifled many a bitter sigh,
But day by day his hopes were shivered
For no one ever sought to buy.

And then he had a brilliant notion:
Half of his daubs he labeled: SOLD.
And lo! he viewed with queer emotion
A public keen and far from cold.
Then (strange it is beyond the telling),
He saw the people round him press:
His paintings went - they still are selling...
Well, nothing succeeds like success.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpretation and Criticism of Robert Service's "Artist"

Art, in all its forms, has always been considered as the highest form of human expression, and Robert Service's poem "Artist" reflects this idea. The poem is an intricate exploration of the creative process, the passion and dedication it requires, and the rewards it brings. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Service captures the essence of the artistic journey, from inspiration to creation, and ultimately, to the artist's triumph.

Analysis of Structure and Form

Service's poem, "Artist," is a free verse poem that lacks a strict rhyme scheme. Instead, the poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four to six lines. The lack of a fixed structure in the poem reflects the unpredictability of the creative process. It also allows Service to focus on the imagery and metaphor, which are the pillars of this poem.

The Theme of Artistic Creation

The central theme of "Artist" is the creative process of the artist. The poem is an ode to the inspiration that artists receive, and the struggle and perseverance it takes to create a masterpiece. Service personifies the creative process as a "wraith" that haunts the artist, demanding that they bring their vision to life. This personification emphasizes the importance of inspiration in the creative process, and the need for artists to heed it.

The poem also highlights the sacrifice that artists make for their art. In stanza three, Service writes, "The artist must be poor of purse who feeds his soul with grace." This line underscores the idea that creating art requires a certain level of sacrifice, both financial and personal. Moreover, it shows that a true artist is not motivated by fame or fortune but by the sheer joy of creation.

The Role of Imagination and Vision

Service's poem suggests that imagination and vision are the driving forces behind the artistic process. In the second stanza, Service writes, "In fancy's forge the fires are hot, molten the mind in thought." This line emphasizes the importance of imagination in the creative process, where the artist's mind is transformed into a forge that shapes their vision into reality.

The metaphor of the artist as a "seer" reinforces the idea that artists see what others cannot. Service writes, "The artist is a seer who sees beyond the curve of things." This line suggests that the artist's vision transcends the mundane, and the artist can see what lies beyond what others can perceive.

The Rewards of Artistic Creation

Finally, the poem suggests that the rewards of artistic creation are worth the sacrifices. Service writes, "And when his work is done, he knows such joy as few can find." This line suggests that the satisfaction of creating art is unmatched, and it brings immense joy to the artist. Moreover, the line, "For in his hand he holds a star and glories in its light," emphasizes the idea that the artist's creation is a source of light, inspiration, and wonder for others.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Service's poem, "Artist," is a beautiful exploration of the creative process, the sacrifice it requires, and the rewards it brings. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Service captures the essence of the artistic journey, from inspiration to creation, and ultimately, to the artist's triumph. The poem reinforces the notion that art is a vital part of the human experience and that the artist's creation brings joy and wonder to the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Artistic Journey of Robert Service's "Artist"

Robert Service's "Artist" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the artistic journey. The poem is a beautiful ode to the creative process, and it speaks to the heart of every artist who has ever struggled to bring their vision to life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand the deeper meaning behind it.

The Themes of "Artist"

The central theme of "Artist" is the creative process. The poem explores the journey of an artist as they work to bring their vision to life. It speaks to the struggles and challenges that artists face, as well as the joy and fulfillment that comes from creating something beautiful. The poem also touches on the idea of inspiration and how it can come from unexpected places.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of perseverance. The artist in the poem faces many obstacles and setbacks, but they never give up. They continue to work tirelessly, driven by their passion for their art. This theme is a powerful reminder that success often comes from hard work and dedication.

The Imagery of "Artist"

The imagery in "Artist" is vivid and evocative. Service uses language that paints a picture in the reader's mind, bringing the artist's journey to life. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece:

He gave a picture exhibition,
Hiring a little empty shop.
Above its window: "Picture Fission."
He couldn't have designed a prop
To publicise his imaged wares
Than that quaint legend which he coined:
But Mullins, who designed the stairs,
Said: "That will do to be going on;
Subtle salesmanship, my lad."

These lines create a sense of anticipation and excitement. The reader can almost feel the artist's nervous energy as he prepares to share his work with the world. The use of the word "imaged" to describe his paintings is particularly effective, as it suggests that the artist is not just creating a physical representation of something, but is capturing its essence.

Throughout the poem, Service uses imagery to convey the artist's emotions and experiences. For example, when the artist is struggling to find inspiration, he describes it as "a desert drear and dead." This image conveys the artist's sense of frustration and despair. Later in the poem, when the artist is finally able to create something beautiful, Service uses the image of a "golden sun" to describe the painting. This image conveys the sense of joy and fulfillment that the artist feels.

The Language of "Artist"

The language used in "Artist" is simple and straightforward, but it is also powerful and evocative. Service uses words that are easy to understand, but that also convey a deep sense of emotion and meaning. For example, when the artist is struggling to find inspiration, he describes it as "a haunting, hungering pain." This phrase captures the artist's sense of longing and desperation.

Service also uses repetition to great effect in the poem. The phrase "Picture Fission" is repeated several times throughout the piece, creating a sense of continuity and unity. This repetition also serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem, which is the creative process.

The Deeper Meaning of "Artist"

At its core, "Artist" is a poem about the human experience. It speaks to the struggles and challenges that we all face as we work to achieve our goals and dreams. The artist in the poem represents all of us, and his journey is a metaphor for the journey that we all must take in order to find fulfillment and happiness.

The poem also speaks to the power of art. It reminds us that art has the ability to inspire, to move us, and to bring us together. The artist in the poem is driven by his passion for his art, and this passion is what ultimately allows him to create something beautiful.

Finally, "Artist" is a poem about the importance of perseverance. The artist in the poem faces many obstacles and setbacks, but he never gives up. He continues to work tirelessly, driven by his passion for his art. This is a powerful reminder that success often comes from hard work and dedication.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Service's "Artist" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of the artistic journey. Through its vivid imagery and evocative language, the poem speaks to the struggles and challenges that artists face, as well as the joy and fulfillment that comes from creating something beautiful. It is a reminder of the power of art to inspire and move us, and of the importance of perseverance in achieving our goals and dreams.

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