Art
Herman Melville (1819-1891)
In placid hours well-pleased we dream
Of many a brave unbodied scheme.
But form to lend, pulsed life create,
What unlike things must meet and mate:
A flame to melt—a wind to freeze;
Sad patience—joyous energies;
Humility—yet pride and scorn;
Instinct and study; love and hate;
Audacity—reverence. These must mate,
And fuse with Jacob’s mystic heart,
To wrestle with the angel—Art.
It is from this poem by the author of Moby Dick that this blog has its title.
Such an interesting portrayal of art – wrestling with an angel! I love the allegory of the stoy of Jacob mixed with the description of art! So intriguing!
‘Wrestling with an angel’ has long been my favorite metaphor for the creative process, its sublimity and its struggle. It is one of the most powerful poetic images I have encountered in my reading. Deciding on a name for this blog was very easy!