Henri Matisse

Composition is the art of arranging in a decorative manner the various elements at the painter's disposal for the expression of his feelings.

I have always been aware of the relation between the color and the line, and that the two must be used with precision.

I believe that the best way to get to know a person is to see what he laughs at.

There are two ways of looking at anything: one is to see it as it is, the other is to see it as it should be.

One must always exaggerate to remain truthful.

The model is not there to be copied; it is there to be translated.

Exactitude is not truth.

I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth, when all the world is new to it.

The importance of an artist is to be measured by the number of new signs he has introduced into the language of art.

The things that are for us, are for us, and the things that are against us, are against us.

I have always tried to be clear, but not simple.

Color is not a quality of the object, it is a quality of the light.

From the moment I hold a pen in my hand, I am conscious of the infinite possibilities that lie before me.

I want to create an art that is pure and serene, without any disturbing or troubling subject matter.

My destination is always the same, but the path is always different.

The artist who is not a master of his craft is like a bird without wings.

I do not literally paint the table, but the emotion it produces upon me.

When you are painting, you must forget everything else, and just think of the picture.

I have always sought to find the truth in everything, and to express it in my art.

The greatest artist is the one who has the greatest vision.