The victory one would gain after a whole life of work and effort is better than one that is gained sooner.

Those Dutchmen had hardly any imagination or fantasy, but their good taste and their scientific knowledge of composition were enormous.

What preys on my mind is simply this one question: what am I good for, could I not be of service or use in some way?

It is with the reading of books the same as with looking at pictures; one must, without doubt, without hesitations, with assurance, admire what is beautiful.

I feel such a creative force in me: I am convinced that there will be a time when, let us say, I will make something good every day , on a regular basis....I am doing my very best to make every effort because I am longing so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things mean painstaking work, disappointment, and perseverance.

That I was not suited to commerce or academic study in no way proves that I should also be unfit to be a painter.

Painting demands an intelligent model.