A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light.

life without love, is no life at all

The five senses are the ministers of the soul.

Drawing is based upon perspective, which is nothing else than a thorough knowledge of the function of the eye.

Old age takes in part savoury wisdom for its food - see to that your old age will not lack in nourishment.

Those who become enamoured of the art, without having previously applied to the diligent study of the scientific part of it, may be compared to mariners who put to the sea in a ship without rudder or compass and therefore cannot be certain of arriving at the wished for port.

The worst evil which can befall the artist is that his work should appear good in his own eyes.