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Full Idea
It is impossible to admire a work of art without thinking oneself, in a way, its creator and without, in a sense, becoming so.
Gist of Idea
When we admire a work, we see ourselves as its creator
Source
Simone Weil (Letters [1940], 1940-03c)
Book Ref
Weil,Simone: 'Seventy Letters' [Wipf & Stock 2015], p.125
A Reaction
This rings true for me. You almost see yourself making the brush strokes, or writing the phrase, or penning the chords. It is engagment which is essential for artistic experience. So all art lovers want to be artists?