© The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access by the GSTF

Abstract- So many artists, aestheticians and audiences are committed to the idea that nonverbal art is ineffable. The challenge, however, is to clarify and substantiate this view. In this paper I argue that an adequate model of ineffability must account for three features, viz. invariability, intentionality and flexibility. After reviewing several recent attempts at explaining ineffabilty, I offer an alternative based on two claims: that the force of artworks is essentially functionless and that this force is an indissoluble aspect of aesthetic content. With these claims, I argue for a more convincing and substantial model