Hi @sb, thanks for your post. Absolutely - great question.
The main point of this passage is found by paying attention to the following lines, in particular. Lines 8-12 ("However . . .founders") introduces Wagner as an important figure in modern architecture and sets him up as a foil for those who would argue that the problems of modern architecture can be blamed on the founders of modern architecture. Lines 31-33 ("But . . . engineering.") and Lines 42-44 ("In this . . . the controlling influence") establish that Wagner believed that "aesthetic concerns" should be paramount ("art was to exercise the controlling influence" - Lines 43-44). "No other prospect was imaginable for Wagner" (Line 45).
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
