Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul.

There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.

Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination do not become the slave of your model.

Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.

It is better to be high-spirited even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all to prudent.

It is not the language of painters but the language of nature which one should listen to. . . .

A good picture is equivalent to a good deed.

One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever come to sit by it.

I wish they would only take me as I am.

I confess I do not know why, but looking at the stars always makes me dream.