He once said that he wished to be famous, but unknown.

He once said that he wished to be famous, but unknown.

A picture is first of all a product of the artist's imagination, it must never be a copy.

My art, what do you want to say about it? Do you think you can explain the merits of a picture to those who do not see them? . . . I can find the best and clearest words to explain my meaning, and I have spoken to the most intelligent people about art, and they have not understood; but among people who understand, words are not necessary, you say humph, he, ha and everything has been said.

The museums are here to teach the history of art and something more as well, for, if they stimulate in the weak a desire to imitate, they furnish the strong with the means of their emancipation.

It is people's movement that consoles us. If the leaves of a tree did not move, how sad would be the tree - and so should we.

Do portraits of people in familiar and typical attitudes, above all give to their face the same choice of expression that one gives to their body.