Meaning: This quote by Paul Gauguin, a French post-Impressionist artist, encapsulates a significant shift in the relationship between art and its audience that took place during the modern art movement. Gauguin's observation reflects the growing divide between the artistic community and the general public, as well as the evolving role of the artist in society.

Throughout history, art has served as a means of communication and expression, often reflecting the values, beliefs, and experiences of a particular culture or community. However, with the onset of the modern art movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the nature of artistic expression began to undergo a radical transformation. Artists such as Gauguin, Pablo Picasso, and Wassily Kandinsky, among others, sought to challenge traditional artistic conventions and explore new forms of representation, often diverging from the familiar and realistic styles that had dominated the art world for centuries.

As a result, modern art became increasingly abstract, experimental, and conceptually driven, leading to a divergence between the artistic vision and the understanding of the general public. Gauguin's assertion that art has become the concern of the artist and the bafflement of the public reflects this growing disconnect. The shift towards abstraction, symbolism, and non-representational forms meant that the traditional modes of artistic communication were no longer easily accessible or comprehensible to a broad audience.

One of the key factors contributing to this progressive loss of art's audience was the emergence of avant-garde movements that sought to challenge established norms and provoke new ways of thinking about art. The Dadaists, Surrealists, and other avant-garde groups rejected the idea of art as a mere representation of reality and instead embraced the notion of art as a reflection of the artist's inner world, often delving into the realms of the subconscious, dreams, and irrationality.

Furthermore, the modern art world witnessed the rise of art criticism and theory, which added layers of complexity to the interpretation of artistic works. Artists and critics alike grappled with questions of aesthetic value, meaning, and purpose, often engaging in debates that were inaccessible to the general public. This intellectualization of art further alienated the audience, as the appreciation of modern art increasingly required a certain level of art historical knowledge and critical acumen.

Additionally, the proliferation of art institutions, galleries, and museums dedicated to modern and contemporary art created a specialized environment that catered to a select audience of art enthusiasts, collectors, and scholars. As a result, modern art became increasingly insular, with the artist and the art world forming a self-referential and self-sustaining community that operated independently of mainstream societal norms and tastes.

In conclusion, Gauguin's observation resonates with the profound transformation that occurred in the relationship between art and its audience during the modern art movement. The progressive loss of art's audience reflects the growing complexity, abstraction, and intellectualization of artistic expression, as well as the emergence of an art world that operated on its own terms. While modern art challenged traditional boundaries and expanded the possibilities of artistic creation, it also resulted in a widening gap between the artist and the public, shaping the evolution of art and its reception in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Overall, Gauguin's quote serves as a poignant reflection on the changing dynamics of art and its audience, inviting us to consider the intricate interplay between artistic innovation, cultural reception, and the evolving role of the artist in society.