Art should be something like a good armchair in which to rest from physical fatigue. Henri Matisse More Quotes by Henri Matisse More Quotes From Henri Matisse The energy within you is stronger than ever for being held back, compressed, and said No to. Henri Matisse strongerenergysaid A distinction is made between artists who work directly from nature and those who work purely from imagination. Neither if these methods should be preferred to the exclusion of the other. Often both are used in turn by the same man. Henri Matisse artistimaginationmen When you're out of will power you call on stubbornness, that's the trick. Henri Matisse willpowerinspirationalfunny Purer colors... have in themselves, independently of the objects they serve to express, a significant action on the feelings of those who look at them. Henri Matisse colorfeelingslooks A picture must possess a real power to generate light and for a long time now I've been conscious of expressing myself through light or rather in light. Henri Matisse lightrealart There is no interruption between my older paintings and my cutouts. Just that with an increasing sense of the absolute, and more abstraction, I have achieved a form that is simplified to its essence. Henri Matisse paintingformessence I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have a light joyousness of springtime which never lets anyone suspect the labors it has cost me. Henri Matisse effortcostlight Seeing is in itself a creative act which requires effort. Henri Matisse seeingeffortcreative Seek for the boldest color possible, content is irrelevant. Henri Matisse irrelevantcolor Truth and reality in art do not arise until you no longer understand what you are doing and are capable of but nevertheless sense a power that grows in proportion to your resistance. Henri Matisse resistancerealityart All my efforts go into creating an art that can be understood by everyone. Henri Matisse creatingeffortart I am curious about color as one would be visiting a new country, because I have never concentrated so closely on color expression. Up to now I have waited at the gates of the temple. Henri Matisse colorexpressioncountry It has always bothered me that I don't paint like everyone else Henri Matisse botheredpaint I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things. Henri Matisse paintingdifferencesart A young painter who cannot liberate himself from the influence of past generations is digging his own grave. Henri Matisse digginginspirationalpast You want to paint? First of all you must cut off your tongue because your decision takes away from you the right to express yourself with anything but your brush. Henri Matisse cuttingdecisionwant The whole arrangement of my picture is expressive. The place occupied by the figures or objects, the empty spaces around them, the proportions, everything plays a part. Henri Matisse emptyspaceplay What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue. Henri Matisse depressingdreamart I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some sort of Buddhist. But the essential thing is to put oneself in a frame of mind which is close to that of prayer. Henri Matisse buddhistprayerart Photographs will always be impressive because they show us nature, and all artists will find in them a world of sensations. The photographer must therefore intervene as little as possible, so as not to cause photography to lose the objective charm which it naturally possesses, notwithstanding its defects. Henri Matisse photographyartistworld
