“The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to live to the point. All other things – to reign, to hoard, to build – are, at most, but inconsiderable props and appendages.” – Michel de Montaigne, Essays, 1588. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.

John Massey, "The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to live to the point. All other things--to reign, to hoard, to build--are, at most, but inconsiderable props and appendages."--Michel de Montaigne, Essays, 1588. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1963, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.200
Copied John Massey, "The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to live to the point. All other things--to reign, to hoard, to build--are, at most, but inconsiderable props and appendages."--Michel de Montaigne, Essays, 1588. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1963, oil on canvas, 45 x 30 in. (114.3 x 76.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.200

Artwork Details

Title
“The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to live to the point. All other things – to reign, to hoard, to build – are, at most, but inconsiderable props and appendages.” – Michel de Montaigne, Essays, 1588. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1963
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
45 x 30 in. (114.3 x 76.2 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Keywords
  • Abstract — geometric
  • Figure — fragment — eye
  • Emblem — heart
Object Number
1984.124.200
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.200