I would not be content to be considered a mere imitator of nature.

I hold the imitation of color to be the greatest difficulty of art.

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

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

-- Diego Velázquez

Truth, not appearance.

-- Diego Velázquez

Light is the sovereign remedy to which all the rules of art must submit.

-- Johannes Vermeer

The only thing I care about is my painting.

-- Berthe Morisot

I owe you the truth in painting and I will tell it to you.

-- Paul Cézanne