Gabriel-Désiré Laverdant, “Of the Mission of Art and the Role of Artists” (1845)
Art, expression of Society, expresses, in its highest development, the most advanced social tendencies; it is precursory and revealing. Now, to know if art worthily fulfills its role as initiator, if the artist is indeed at the forefront, it is necessary to know where Humanity is going, what is the destiny of the Species. […]