JOLLY DAYS

Sociology of Art

John Updike about the sociology of art and the psychology of its audience:

For the hard working bourgeoisie, art became a relief from life rather than, as in less specialized times, an explanation and intensification of it. To an extent, it is still true that the arts survive as an instrument and emblem of social improvement; one goes to the museum and concerts, and reads books, because other nice people do….Art functions as grease in the social wheels…Art is associated with refinement, and refinement with wealth, and wealth with power.