An artist must approach his work in the spirit of the criminal about to commit a crime.

Nothing in art should seem accidental, not even movement

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.

One must do the same subject over again ten times, a hundred times. In art nothing must resemble an accident, not even movement.

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.

C'est vrai. Voilá quelqu'un qui sent comme moi. (It is true. There is someone who feels as I do).

Realism is more important than the sentiment of the picture.