France is the only nation in which astoundingly small numbers of civilized patrons reside.

Fine art is knowledge made visible.

When I am no longer controversial, I will no longer be important

I hope to live all my life for my art, without abandoning my principles one iota.

Beauty lies in nature and reveals, once the artist has perceived it, its own expressive power.

The principle of realism means denial of the ideal.

I have never seen an angel. Show me an angel, and I'll paint one.