Who among the following observed that "the artistic critic, like the mystic, is an antinomian always?"

Correct option is B

Oscar Wilde made the observation that "the artistic critic, like the mystic, is an antinomian always." This reflects Wilde's views on the role of the critic, emphasizing that true artistic critics do not conform to established rules or conventions. Instead, they embrace contradictions and paradoxes, much like mystics, who seek to transcend conventional wisdom. Wilde’s notion of aesthetic criticism is rooted in the belief that art and criticism should challenge societal norms and that both the artist and the critic operate beyond moral or rigid frameworks.
Information Booster:
1. Oscar Wilde was a leading figure in the Aesthetic movement, which promoted the idea that art should be appreciated for its beauty alone, without the need for moral or didactic purposes. His works, including The Critic as Artist and The Picture of Dorian Gray, emphasize art for art’s sake.
2. Antinomianism refers to the rejection of moral or social laws, a fitting metaphor for Wilde’s belief that both the artist and the critic transcend conventional judgments.
3. Wilde believed that the critic should not merely assess art based on predefined standards but should engage in a creative and interpretive dialogue with the artwork.
4. The Critic as Artist, a key essay by Wilde, explores his philosophy that the critic plays a vital role in art’s interpretation, sometimes even more so than the artist.
5. Wilde’s ideas challenged the Victorian era's dominant moralistic approach to literature, arguing instead that art and criticism must be free from societal constraints.
6. Aestheticism as a movement, associated with Wilde, argued that beauty, not utility or morality, should be the chief criterion in art.
Additional Information:
· A. Walter Pater: While Pater was a major figure in the Aesthetic movement and significantly influenced Oscar Wilde, he did not make the specific statement in question. Pater's famous work, The Renaissance, emphasizes "art for art's sake," but he focused more on art's impact on the individual than the critical role of the critic as an antinomian.
· C. Edgar Allan Poe: Poe is well-known for his criticism, particularly of poetry and fiction, and his ideas about the "unity of effect" in literature. However, he did not express the same antinomian view of critics that Wilde did.
· D. E.M. Forster: Forster, known for his novels like A Passage to India and Howards End, was more concerned with social issues and human relationships in literature. He did not articulate views about the critic’s antinomian nature, focusing instead on moral and philosophical aspects of fiction.