Even with all the documents, you can never forge nature

The modes of expression of men of genius differ as much as their souls, and it is impossible to say that in some among them, drawing and color are better or worse than in others.

Man's naked form belongs to no particular moment in history; it is eternal, and can be looked upon with joy by the people of all ages.

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

I have unbounded admiration for the nude. I worship it like a god.

The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live. Be a man before being an artist!

To any artist, worthy of the name, all in nature is beautiful, because his eyes, fearlessly accepting all exterior truth, read there, as in an open book, all the inner truth.