Sculpture is made by taking away, while painting is made by adding.

If people knew how hard I worked at my art, they would not consider me a genius.

Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.

If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.

The best artist has that thought alone Which is contained within the marble shell; The sculptor's hand can only break the spell To free the figures slumbering in the stone.

Heaven-born, the soul a heavenward course must hold; beyond the world she soars; the wise man, I affirm, can find no rest in that which perishes, nor will he lend his heart to ought that doth time depend

Patience is eternal genius