ars gratia artis

American  

[ahrs grah-tee-ah ahr-tis, ahrz grey-shee-uh ahr-tis, ahrs] / ˈɑrs ˈgrɑ tiˌɑ ˈɑr tɪs, ˈɑrz ˈgreɪ ʃi ə ˈɑr tɪs, ɑrs /

Latin.

1. art for art's sake.

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Example Sentences

The three Latin words encircling the lion — “Ars Gratia Artis” — are first spelled out in English: “Art for Art’s Sake.”

From New York Times

The pious motto “ars gratia artis” is supposed to mean “art for art’s sake,” but it was cobbled together, maybe from some English-Latin dictionary, by an MGM PR man.

From Los Angeles Times

Ars Gratia Artis Reading of Tom Lazarus’ play about a photographer on the MGM lot in 1920s Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times

Like Freed, Dietz worked at MGM; he was the studio’s chief publicist, creating the Leo the Lion mascot and the “Ars Gratia Artis” motto.

From Time

Ars gratia artis, art for art's sake, was a centuries-old plea in Europe.

From Time Magazine Archive