Titles have never given a just idea of things; were it otherwise, the work would be superfluous. Gustave Courbet More Quotes by Gustave Courbet More Quotes From Gustave Courbet Painting is an essentially concrete art and can only consist of the representation of real and existing things. Gustave Courbet paintingrealart I have never seen an angel. Show me an angel, and I'll paint one. Gustave Courbet show-mepaintangel I hope always to earn my living by my art without having ever deviated by even a hair's breadth from my principles... to please anyone or to sell more easily. Gustave Courbet principleshairart The state is not competent in artistic matters... When the state leaves us free, it will have carried out its duty. Gustave Courbet artisticfreedommatter The expression of beauty is in direct ratio to the power of conception the artist has acquired. Gustave Courbet ratiosartistexpression France is the only nation in which astoundingly small numbers of civilized patrons reside. Gustave Courbet small-numbersfranceartist I hope to live all my life for my art, without abandoning my principles one iota. Gustave Courbet principlesartistart Without trying to clear up the degree of correctness of a qualification which no one, one must hope, will be asked to understand exactly, I will limit myself to a few words of explanation to cut short any misunderstandings. Gustave Courbet cuttinglimitstrying Beauty, like truth, is relative to the time when one lives and to the individual who can grasp it. The expression of beauty is in direct ratio to the power of conception the artist has acquired. Gustave Courbet powertruthtimebeauty When we see men of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inward and examine ourselves. Gustave Courbet seethinkcharactermen
