Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term...

Who said "Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term... "?

"Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term... " is one of a famous quotes by Edgar Allan Poe. Complete quote is as follows;
"Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it 'the reproduction of what the Senses perceive in Nature through the veil of the soul.' The mere imitation, however accurate, of what is in Nature, entitles no man to the sacred name of 'Artist.'"

What is "Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term... "?

"Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it 'the reproduction of what the Senses perceive in Nature through the veil of the soul.' The mere imitation, however accurate, of what is in Nature, entitles no man to the sacred name of 'Artist.'" This is a quote by Edgar Allan Poe which is about Art & Nature. He is known to have been associated with numerous other thought provoking quotes on these topics like;

• Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.
• He who is of calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition youth and age are equally a burden.

What does "Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term... " mean?

This quote is primarily about Nature although it also includes other themes like Art & Nature. It is attributed to Edgar Allan Poe. Complete quote is as follows;
"Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it 'the reproduction of what the Senses perceive in Nature through the veil of the soul.' The mere imitation, however accurate, of what is in Nature, entitles no man to the sacred name of 'Artist.'"