Quote

All that is not useful in a picture is detrimental. A work of art must be harmonious in its entirety for superfluous details would, in the mind of the beholder, encroach upon the essential elements.

Henri Matisse

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Henri Matisse
Age: 84 †
Born: 1869
Born: December 31
Died: 1954
Died: November 3
Artist
Designer
Drawer
Exlibrist
Graphic Artist
Painter
Printmaker
Sculptor
Le Cateau
Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse
Henri Emile Benoît Matisse
Henri Emile Benoit Matisse
Anri Matiss
Henri-Emile-Benoît Matisse
Henri-Emile-Benoit Matisse
H. Matisse
matisse h.
h. matisse
matisse henri
Henri-Matisse
Matisse
Mind
Essentials
Detrimental
Would
Harmony
Entirety
Picture
Beholder
Elements
Superfluous
Upon
Harmonious
Art
Useful
Must
Details
Work
Essential
Encroach

More quotes by Henri Matisse

Image
Truth and reality in art begin at the point where the artist ceases to understand what he is doing and capable of doing - yet feels in himself a force that becomes steadily stronger... and more concentrated.
Henri Matisse
Image
The things that are acquired consciously permit us to express ourselves unconsciously with a certain richness.
Henri Matisse
Image
Seeing is in itself a creative act which requires effort.
Henri Matisse
Image
There are wonderful things in Jazz, the improvisation, the liveliness, the being at one with the audience.
Henri Matisse
Image
What's so astonishing about not understanding? There are so many things in art, beginning with art itself, that one doesn't understand. A painter doesn't see everything that he has put in his painting.
Henri Matisse
Image
The artist has to look at life as he did when he was a child. If he loses that faculty, he cannot express himself in an original, that is, a personal way.
Henri Matisse
Image
Do remember that one line does nothing it is only in relation to another that it creates a volume.
Henri Matisse
Image
The energy within you is stronger than ever for being held back, compressed, and said No to.
Henri Matisse
Image
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
Image
The model for me is a touchstone, it is a door which I must break open in order to reach the garden in which I am alone and feel good, even the model exists only for what use I can make of it.
Henri Matisse
Image
Each work of art is a collection of signs invented during the picture's execution to suit the needs of their position. Taken out of the composition for which they were created, these signs have no further use.
Henri Matisse
Image
I have been no more than a medium, as it were.
Henri Matisse
Image
The truly original artist invents his own signs.
Henri Matisse
Image
I am unable to make any distinction between the feeling I get from life and the way I translate that feeling into painting.
Henri Matisse
Image
To arrive is to be in prison.
Henri Matisse
Image
A work of art must carry in itself its complete significance and impose it upon the beholder even before he can identify the subject-matter.
Henri Matisse
Image
All art worthy of the name is religious.
Henri Matisse
Image
An artist is an explorer.
Henri Matisse
Image
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
Image
Would not it be best to leave room to mystery?
Henri Matisse