If you paint the leaf on a tree without using a model, your imagination will only supply you with a few leaves; but Nature offers you millions, all on the same tree. No two leaves are exactly the same. The artist who paints only what is in his mind must very soon repeat himself.

One morning, one of us ran out of the black, it was the birth of Impressionism.

Shall I tell you what I think are the two qualities of a work of art? First, it must be indescribable, and second, it must be inimitable.

The only reward one should offer an artist is to buy his work.

The purpose of painting is to decorate the walls. Therefore it has to be as rich as possible

One must from time to time attempt things that are beyond one's capacity.

An artist, under pain of oblivion, must have confidence in himself, and listen only to his real master: Nature.