Art in its perfection is not ostentatious; it lies hid and works its effect, itself unseen. Joshua Reynolds More Quotes by Joshua Reynolds More Quotes From Joshua Reynolds Genius is supposed to be a power of producing excellences which are put of the reach of the rules of art: a power which no precepts can teach, and which no industry can acquire. Joshua Reynolds teachingscienceart Simplicity is an exact mediumbetween too little and too much. Joshua Reynolds simplicitytoo-muchlittles Poetry operates by raising our curiosity, engaging the mind by degrees to take an interest in the event, keeping that event suspended, and surprising at last with an unexpected catastrophe. Joshua Reynolds curiositypoetrymind The mind is but a barren soil; a soil which is soon exhausted, and will produce no crop, or only one, unless it be continually fertilized and enriched with foreign matter. Joshua Reynolds learningpoliticalmind Excellence is never granted to man but as the reward of labor. It argues no small strength of mind to persevere in habits of industry without the pleasure of perceiving those advances, which, like the hand of a clock, whilst they make hourly approaches to their point, yet proceed so slowly as to escape observation. Joshua Reynolds mindmenhands Excellence is never granted to man, but as the reward of labour. Joshua Reynolds rewardsexcellencemen It is but a poor eloquence which only shows that the orator can talk. Joshua Reynolds eloquencepoorshows Gardening as far as Gardening is Art, or entitled to that appellation, is a deviation from nature; for if the true taste consists, as many hold, in banishing every appearance of Art, or any traces of the footsteps of man, it would then be no longer a Garden. Joshua Reynolds naturemenart Style in painting is the same as in writing; a power over materials, whether words or colors, by which conceptions or sentiments are conveyed. Joshua Reynolds colorwritingart I wish you to be persuaded that success in your art depends almost entirely on your own industry; but the industry which I principally recommend is not the industry of the hands, but of the mind. Joshua Reynolds mindhandsart While I recommend studying the art from artists, Nature is and must be the fountain which alone is inexhaustible, and from which all excellences must originally flow. Joshua Reynolds flowexcellenceart You are never to lose sight of nature; the instant you do, you are all abroad, at the mercy of every gust of fashion, without knowing or seeing the point to which you ought to steer. Joshua Reynolds fashionknowingsight Our studies will be forever, in a very great degree, under the direction of chance; like travelers, we must take what we can get, and when we can get it - whether it is or is not administered to us in the most commodious manner, in the most proper place, or at the exact minute when we would wish to have it. Joshua Reynolds degreeswishforever The true test of all the arts is not solely whether the production is a true copy of nature, but whether it answers the end of art, which is to produce a pleasing effect upon the mind. Joshua Reynolds answersmindart There can be no doubt but that he who has the most materials has the greatest means of invention. Joshua Reynolds inventiondoubtmean It is vain for painters... to endeavour to invent without materials on which the mind may work. Joshua Reynolds vainmindmay If you have great talents, industry will improve them: if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiency. Joshua Reynolds deficiencyabilitytalent Those who are not conversant in works of art are often surprised at the high value set by connoisseurs on drawings which appear careless, and in every respect unfinished; but they are truly valuable... they give the idea of a whole. Joshua Reynolds drawingideasart What has pleased and continues to please, is likely to please again; hence are derived the rules of art, and on this immovable foundation they must ever stand. Joshua Reynolds foundationpleasureart Whatever trips you make, you must still have nature in your eye. Joshua Reynolds stillseyetravel
