Who loves art?

[Anonymous]

Artist Emil Nolde said,

“Art is exalted above religion and race. Not a single solitary soul these days believes in the religion of the Assyrians, the Egyptians, or the Greeks … Only their art, whenever it was beautiful, stands proud and exalted, rising above all time.”

What does this exactly mean?..I have a couple of ideas of what it could mean but not sure.

[JohnGPL]

I would say it just means that great artistic expression holds its meaning and significance longer than religion and cultural norms.