The human body is first and foremost a mirror to the soul and its greatest beauty comes from that.

Nobody does good to men with impunity.

The work of art is already within the block of marble. I just chop off whatever isn't needed.

If the artist only reproduces superficial features as photography does, if he copies the lineaments of a face exactly, without reference to character, he deserves no admiration. The resemblance which he ought to obtain is that of the soul.

The body always expresses the spirit whose envelope it is. And for him who can see, the nude offers the richest meaning.

There should be no argument in regard to morality in art. There is no morality in nature.

There are unknown forces in nature; when we give ourselves wholly to her, without reserve, she lends them to us; she shows us these forms, which our watching eyes do not see, which our intelligence does not understand or suspect.