Clint, this is the best description I have ever read about why an artist should master their chosen craft.
In school, fellow students and I were constantly being admonished that our craft had to be so good it became invisible – an invaluable lesson.
But as you say, mastery may be essential, but never the reason why a work should exist.
The comparison I use is the Italian pre-Renaissance word ‘sprezzatura,’ which loosely translates to a traveling courtier being able to write and perform ballads, paint, entertain in other ways, and hold a conversation on any subject with a certain studied nonchalance.
Clint, this is the best description I have ever read about why an artist should master their chosen craft.
In school, fellow students and I were constantly being admonished that our craft had to be so good it became invisible – an invaluable lesson.
But as you say, mastery may be essential, but never the reason why a work should exist.
The comparison I use is the Italian pre-Renaissance word ‘sprezzatura,’ which loosely translates to a traveling courtier being able to write and perform ballads, paint, entertain in other ways, and hold a conversation on any subject with a certain studied nonchalance.
A word I would bet you are already familiar with.
Thank you! Yes, I'm familiar with that word, and it's a good word to use in this instance.