'Artist' by Robert Service
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Lyrics of a Low BrowHe 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
"Artist" by Robert Service: A Poetic Masterpiece
Are you looking for a poem that captures the essence of an artist's life? Look no further than "Artist" by Robert Service. This classic piece of poetry explores the joys and struggles of living a creative life, and it does so with vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and a deep understanding of the human experience.
At over 50 lines in length, "Artist" is a substantial poem that offers readers a wealth of material to analyze and interpret. In this literary criticism, we will take a closer look at some of the key components of the poem and examine what they might mean.
Form and Structure
"Artist" is written in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter pattern. However, this does not mean that the poem lacks structure. In fact, it is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths, each with its own distinct tone and purpose.
The first stanza sets the stage for the poem by introducing the central character, the artist. Through vivid imagery, we learn about the artist's surroundings and the tools of his trade:
He gave a picture exhibition,
Hiring a little empty shop.
Above its window: "Genuine vision!"
And "This advanced civilization"
The knowing critics drooled non-stop.They said: "At such an early age;
A genius in the making,
Too bad, the Scythian in his rage
Smashed him with a mace engaging;
His oeuvre's value, more than wage!"
Notice how Service uses rhyme and alliteration to create a musical quality to the poem, even though it is not written in a traditional form. The repetition of the "s" sound in "knowing critics drooled non-stop" and "Smashed him with a mace engaging" creates a sense of rhythm that gives the poem a memorable quality.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the artist's inner world, exploring his motivations and desires:
He painted portraits of the Great,
But never got beyond the gentry;
The rich ignored him, while the state
Commissioned lots of scenery.He died in misery and squalor,
A garret room his only home;
And there he painted masterpiece
Upon masterpiece just for his own.
This stanza is particularly powerful because it shows the contrast between the artist's outer life and his inner life. While he may have been ignored by the rich and powerful, in his own mind, he was creating masterpieces. This speaks to the idea that art is not just about external recognition, but also about personal fulfillment and expression.
The third stanza is the shortest but perhaps the most impactful:
He labored hard by night and day,
But not for gain or hire,
Just for the joy of making clay
Into a shape of his desire.
This stanza emphasizes the idea that the artist is not driven by money or fame, but by the pure joy of creation. This is a common theme in art and literature, but Service's use of concrete imagery - the shaping of clay - makes it feel fresh and immediate.
Finally, the fourth stanza brings the poem to a close by offering a kind of moral lesson:
So when life's curtain falls in death
And you take your last long breath
Remember, gentle passenger,
Your life is but a little page
That's written by an unseen sage
Who loves the artist's proud courage.
This stanza is interesting because it shifts the focus from the artist to the reader. It reminds us that we are all artists in our own way, and that the most important thing is to live our lives with courage and creativity.
Themes and Interpretations
There are many themes that one could explore in "Artist," but perhaps the most obvious is the idea of artistic passion and dedication. The artist in the poem is not motivated by money or fame, but by a deep desire to create. This is a common trope in literature, but Service brings it to life in a way that feels fresh and immediate.
Another theme that is present in the poem is the contrast between external success and internal fulfillment. The artist in the poem may not have achieved fame or fortune, but in his own mind, he was creating masterpieces. This speaks to the idea that art is not just about external recognition, but also about personal fulfillment and expression.
Finally, the poem offers a kind of moral lesson about the importance of living a creative life. The final stanza reminds us that we are all artists in our own way and that the most important thing is to live our lives with courage and creativity. This is a powerful message that is relevant to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Artist" by Robert Service is a poetic masterpiece that explores the joys and struggles of living a creative life. Through vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and a deep understanding of the human experience, Service creates a poem that is both timeless and timely. Whether you are an artist yourself or simply appreciate the power of art, this poem is sure to speak to you on a deep level.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Artist: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Poetry Artist," which is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. This poem is a tribute to the art of poetry and the poets who create it. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the lines, "He paints a picture on the wall, a poem on the page; / A sonnet, or a lyric sweet, his brush, his pen engage." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, highlighting the artist's ability to create beauty through his words. The poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which adds to the musicality of the poem.
The first stanza describes the artist's ability to create a picture on the wall or a poem on the page. The use of the word "paints" in the first line is significant as it implies that the artist is not just writing words but is creating a visual image through his poetry. The second line, "A sonnet, or a lyric sweet," highlights the artist's versatility and his ability to write different forms of poetry.
The second stanza describes the artist's inspiration, which comes from the world around him. The lines, "He takes a flower, a bird, a cloud, and weaves them in his rhyme; / He takes a thought, a dream, a hope, and makes them live in time," highlight the artist's ability to find inspiration in the simplest of things. The use of the word "weaves" in the first line is significant as it implies that the artist is not just describing the flower, bird, or cloud but is incorporating them into his poetry in a way that makes them come alive.
The third stanza describes the artist's dedication to his craft. The lines, "He labors long and wearily, he struggles, toils, and sighs; / He spends his days in solitude, his nights in sacrifice," highlight the artist's commitment to his work. The use of the words "wearily," "struggles," and "toils" in the first line emphasizes the artist's hard work and the sacrifices he makes to create his poetry.
The fourth stanza describes the artist's desire to share his poetry with the world. The lines, "He longs to see his work go forth, to touch the hearts of men; / To bring a smile, a tear, a thought, to those who read it then," highlight the artist's desire to connect with his readers and evoke emotions through his poetry.
The fifth stanza describes the artist's legacy. The lines, "He knows that he will pass away, that other bards will rise; / But still he writes, and still he dreams, and still he prophesies," highlight the artist's understanding of his mortality and his desire to leave a lasting impact through his poetry.
The final stanza is a tribute to all poets. The lines, "Oh, poets all, who dream and sing, who paint with word and rhyme; / Who fashion out of lifeless clay a thing of beauty and of time," highlight the importance of poetry and the role of poets in creating beauty in the world.
The poem is rich in literary devices, including imagery, metaphor, and personification. The use of imagery is particularly noteworthy as it adds to the visual appeal of the poem. For example, the lines, "He takes a flower, a bird, a cloud, and weaves them in his rhyme," create a vivid image of the artist incorporating nature into his poetry.
The use of metaphor is also significant as it adds depth to the poem. For example, the lines, "He paints a picture on the wall, a poem on the page," compare the artist's poetry to a painting, highlighting the visual aspect of his work.
The use of personification is also noteworthy as it adds a human element to the poem. For example, the lines, "He spends his days in solitude, his nights in sacrifice," personify the artist's work, highlighting the dedication and hard work required to create poetry.
In conclusion, "The Poetry Artist" is a masterpiece by Robert Service that celebrates the art of poetry and the poets who create it. The poem is rich in themes, including inspiration, dedication, and legacy. The structure of the poem, with its quatrains and ABAB rhyme scheme, adds to its musicality. The use of literary devices, including imagery, metaphor, and personification, adds depth and complexity to the poem. Overall, "The Poetry Artist" is a testament to the power of poetry and the enduring legacy of poets.
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