There must be understanding between the artist and the people. In the best ages of art that has always been the case. Genius can probably run on ahead and seek out new ways. But the good artists who follow after genius — and I count myself among these — have to restore the lost connection once more.

When Michelangelo was an old man, he drew himself sitting in a child's pushcart.

I have never been able to carry out any work coolly. On the contrary it is done, so to speak, with my own blood. Anyone who looks at my works must be able to sense that.

Bisexuality is almost a necessary factor in artistic production; at any rate, the tinge of masculinity within me helped me in my work.

If all the people who have been hurt by the war were to exclude joy from their lives, it would almost be as if they had died.

Every war carries within it the war which will answer it. Every war is answered by a new war, until everything, everything is smashed.

To this day I do not know whether the power which has inspired my works is something related to religion, or is indeed religion itself.