Why Beauty in Art Matters: Roger Scruton

Famous British writer, philosopher, and composer Roger Scruton believes that beauty matters in art and that the modern art of the 20th century has largely lost that beauty.

British philosopher, writer, and composer Roger Scruton attends a conference held under the auspices of former Czech president Vaclav Havel focusing on Media and Democracy, on Oct. 22, in Zofin Palace in Prague. Michal Cizek/AFP/Getty Images

NEW YORK—Famous British writer, philosopher, and composer Roger Scruton believes that beauty in art does matter and that the modern art of the 20th century has largely lost that beauty.

A BBC documentary from 2009 vividly detailing Scruton’s views on beauty and art is slowly but steadily spreading on the internet.