1 88 ESSAYS IN rillLOSOPHY 



two contrasted elements, the real and the ideal, 

 but is an individual unit, in which each element 

 lives, indeed, though not in its own restricted and 

 excludent form. Each lives, on the contrary, in a 

 higher realisation in one and the same neiv reality. 

 The real is, but is idealised, and the ideal has 

 attained a completer realisation than it had in the 

 original fact. And thus the work of art brings 

 into existence a new and unique being — a genuine 

 but higher real object. This is the sovereign as 

 well as the essential quality of art ; and it is because 

 of it, and only because of it, that we can say that 

 art is its own end. Art is its own end, because 

 its new creations are set into existence in pursuance 

 of the real-ideal constituting the law of Nature, 

 and thus enter the world as units really belonging 

 to Nature — units prophetic, too, of that transfigured 

 Nature which is kindred with rational man and is 

 to form his fitting abode. And it is only for this 

 reason that we can truly assert — or, rather, must 

 not stop short of asserting — that not merely art 

 in its collective sense, but every separate work of 

 art, is an end in itself. 



The doctrine which thus comes to light, that in art 

 man not only shares literally in the creative office 

 of God, but enriches Nature with new members 

 that express its divine Ground in a still higher 

 form, will seem to many overbold — extravagant 



