When you first commence painting everything is a muddle. Even the commonest colors seem to have the devil in them.

My honors are misunderstanding, pesecution and neglect, enhanced because unsought.

I have never discovered that the nude could be studied in any way except the way I have adopted. All the muscles must be pointed out. To do this all the drapery must be removed.

No man, and least of all myself, could ever disentangle the feelings that animated him.

The big artist .. . keeps a sharp eye on Nature and steals her tools.

I taught in the Academy from the opening of the schools until I was turned out, a period much longer than I should have permitted myself to remain there. My honors are misunderstanding, persecution and neglect, enhanced because unsought.

Enthusiasm for one's goal lessens the disagreeableness of working toward it.