Final answer:
The provided statement celebrates the power of art to shape perceptions and the environment, suggesting it's more impactful than creating mere objects. True art affects life's quality and interacts with the audience through metaphors and images, embodying the highest form of artistry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase, “It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do,” refers to the impactful nature of art that goes beyond the creation of individual objects. This suggests that true artistry involves influencing the way people perceive and interact with the world around them. Through such art, we can morally shape our environment and the quality of the day. By doing so, art elevates to its highest form, affecting how we live and experience life. This extends to the craft of poetry discussed by Ben Johnson, where poetry is a form of making, similar to carpentry or weaving, with a focus on construction and structure. Furthermore, Diderot's ideals on art making virtue attractive highlight the transformative power of art in society. It's clear that art's purpose is not only to express or evoke emotion but also to influence, with a great use of metaphor and imagery being key components, as discussed by Jeremy Arnold when he talks about poetry being the body and soul that engages an audience through evocative images.