I would rather be first to paint ugliness than second to paint beauty.

The painter of painters.

It is in the knowledge of the true conditions of our life that we must draw our strength to live and our reasons to act.

-- Simone de Beauvoir

For truly art lies hidden in nature; whoever can draw it out possesses it.

-- Albrecht Dürer

To paint a beautiful woman I would need to see many, but since beautiful women are scarce, I make use of a certain idea that comes to my mind.

-- Raphael

Painting is poetry that is seen and not heard, and poetry is painting that is heard and not seen.

-- Leonardo da Vinci

I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.

-- Michelangelo

Do not fear perfection. You will never reach it.

-- Sandro Botticelli