How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
it is hard to believe when I'm with you that there can be anything as still
as solemn as unpleasantly definitive as statuary (7-8)
Uh, isn't that what all successful statuary is? Still? Duh. For some reason, though, all this standing around stuff has our speaker bummed out. It seems that statues (and all art, really) just can't compare to the fabulous, moving reality of his beloved.
Quote #2
and the portrait show seems to have no faces in it at all, just paint
you suddenly wonder why in the world anyone ever did them (11-12)
Wow. That's harsh. Still, it goes to show us how disenchanted our speaker has become with art. In this case, portraits, which in many cases are the most famous examples of art in the world (Mona Lisa anyone?)--just look like so much paint to him, and seem pointless. Pointless when compared to real, live, in-the-flesh love that is.
Quote #3
I look
at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world
except possibly for the Polish Rider occasionally and anyway it's in the Frick (13-15)
A-ha. So maybe our speaker hasn't totally chucked art for love after all. Do you think that he's just joking, or being cute, here? Or is there a chance that he still might possibly, occasionally check out some art in future?