Poem Analysis - Epigram Addressed To An Artist

Initial Impression and Tone

Robert Burns' "Epigram Addressed To An Artist" is a concise and witty poem that offers advice to an artist. The tone is conversational and somewhat playful, yet it carries a serious underlying message. The poem begins with a friendly address and shifts to a more reflective and cautionary mood as it progresses. Burns uses straightforward language and vivid imagery to convey his message, making the poem accessible and engaging.

Themes of Artistic Challenge and Human Nature

The poem explores several themes, including the challenges of artistic creation and the complexity of human nature. Burns advises the artist to move away from painting angels and instead focus on painting the devil. This shift suggests that capturing the essence of evil or darkness is easier than portraying goodness or purity. The theme of human nature is evident in the difficulty of painting an angel, which is described as "kittle wark" (tricky work), implying that true goodness is elusive and hard to depict accurately.

Imagery and Symbolism

The poem uses vivid imagery to emphasize its themes. The contrast between painting angels and the devil serves as a powerful symbol. Angels represent purity and goodness, which are abstract and difficult to portray. The devil, on the other hand, is more tangible and easier to depict, symbolizing the artist's struggle with capturing the intangible. The phrase "lang-kent face" (a familiar face) suggests that the artist is more comfortable with the familiar and the known, while the "stranger" represents the unknown and the abstract, which is harder to capture.

Final Insights

The poem concludes with a reflection on the artist's capabilities and the nature of artistic creation. Burns' advice to paint the devil rather than angels highlights the difficulty of portraying abstract concepts like goodness and purity. The poem suggests that artists should focus on what they can master, rather than struggling with the intangible. This insight into the artistic process underscores the poem's significance, offering a timeless message about the challenges and rewards of artistic creation.