I am not one who was born in the custody of wisdom; I am one who is fond of olden times and intense in quest of the sacred knowing of the ancients.

I am fifty years old and I have always lived in freedom; let me end my life free; when I am dead let this be said of me: 'He belonged to no school, to no church, to no institution, to no academy, least of all to any regime except the regime of liberty.'

The expression of beauty is in direct ratio to the power of conception the artist has acquired.

I am not one who was born in the custody of wisdom; I am one who is fond of olden times and intense in quest of the sacred knowing of the ancients.

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

The principle of realism means denial of the ideal.

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