Yes, the man who without exaggeration could be counted among humanity's greatest of artists went on to repudiate his works and declared that they were an abomination to him. All that we mere mortals see as great he dismissed as a trifling vanity that must not be taken seriously. What visions of truth did he attain to make him denigrate his art so?"During this time, I went to the theatre 28 for the rehearsals of the Power of Darkness. Art, be- ginning as a game, has continued to be the toy of adults. This is also proved by music, of which I have heard much. It is ineffectual. On the contrary, it detracts when there is ascribed to it the unsuitable meaning which is ascribed to it. Realism, moreover, weakens its significance . . ."
Nikolai