Instinct must be thwarted just as one prunes the branches of a tree so that it will grow better.

Quote by Henri Matisse

Topics: Henri Matisse Quotes

Those who work in a preconceived style, deliberately turning their backs on nature, miss the...

Those who work in a preconceived style, deliberately turning their backs on nature, miss the...

In the beginning you must subject yourself to the influence of nature. You must be...

In the beginning you must subject yourself to the influence of nature. You must be...

There are wonderful things in real jazz, the talent for improvisation, the liveliness, the being...

There are wonderful things in real jazz, the talent for improvisation, the liveliness, the being...

All that I really have to recount are observations and notes made during the course...

All that I really have to recount are observations and notes made during the course...

I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things.

I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things.

I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some...

I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some...

It has bothered me all my life that I do not paint like everybody else.

It has bothered me all my life that I do not paint like everybody else.

I did my sculpture as a painter. I did not work as a sculptor.

I did my sculpture as a painter. I did not work as a sculptor.

What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of...

What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of...

I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things.

I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things.

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

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

I have been no more than a medium, as it were.

I have been no more than a medium, as it were.

An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that...

An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that...

I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth...

I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth...

Jazz is rhythm and meaning.

Jazz is rhythm and meaning.

The best way to kill time is to work it to death

The best way to kill time is to work it to death

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

You study, you learn, but you guard the original naivete. It has to be within...

You study, you learn, but you guard the original naivete. It has to be within...

It is important to do what you don't know how to do. It is important...

It is important to do what you don't know how to do. It is important...

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.

Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.