Meaning: The quote "It would follow that 'significant form' was form behind which we catch a sense of ultimate reality" is attributed to Clive Bell, a prominent art critic and philosopher. This quote embodies Bell's concept of "significant form," which he developed in his influential work, "Art." In this book, Bell argues that the essence of art lies in its ability to evoke an emotional response through form, rather than through its representational or narrative content.

According to Bell, "significant form" refers to the arrangement of lines, colors, and shapes within a work of art that elicits a powerful aesthetic experience. He believed that certain combinations of form have the ability to transcend the ordinary and mundane, allowing the viewer to glimpse a deeper, more profound reality. This "ultimate reality" is not a literal or concrete representation of the physical world, but rather a transcendent experience that transcends the limitations of everyday perception.

Bell's concept of "significant form" was deeply influenced by his engagement with the art of the early 20th century, particularly the works of modernist painters such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. He was drawn to the abstract and non-representational qualities of their art, and he sought to articulate a theory that could account for the emotional impact of these works without relying on traditional notions of beauty or realism.

In essence, Bell's notion of "significant form" proposes that the power of art lies in its formal properties and their ability to evoke a profound emotional response in the viewer. Rather than focusing on the subject matter or content of a work, Bell argued that the formal elements of art—such as line, color, and composition—were the primary means through which artists could communicate and connect with their audience on a deep, visceral level.

Bell's concept of "significant form" has been the subject of both praise and criticism within the field of art criticism and philosophy. Some have lauded his emphasis on the formal qualities of art as a means of transcending the mundane and revealing deeper truths about the human experience. Others, however, have questioned the universality of Bell's theory, arguing that it may overlook the diverse cultural and historical contexts in which art is produced and interpreted.

Despite these debates, Clive Bell's concept of "significant form" continues to be a thought-provoking and influential idea in the study of art and aesthetics. It challenges viewers to look beyond the surface of a work and engage with its formal elements in order to access a deeper, more profound reality. Whether one fully embraces Bell's theory or not, it undeniably offers a compelling framework for considering the transformative and transcendent power of art.