“The only thing that matters about a painting is that which cannot be explained.”
Georges Braque

“Civilization is what we are suffering from. To me, barbarism is a rejuvenation.”
Paul Gauguin

“The desensualization of higher art... All our senses have in fact become somewhat dulled because we always inquire after the reason, what ‘it means’ and no longer what ‘it is.’ ... The more the eye and ear are capable of thought, the more they reach that boundary line where they become asensual.”
Friedrich Nietzsche

Beauty is a necessary condition for life.  Art is life.  Beauty is absolutely necessary in art.