I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some sort of Buddhist. But the essential thing is to put oneself in a frame of mind which is close to that of prayer.

Quote by Henri Matisse

Topics: Henri Matisse Quotes

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.

I wouldn't mind turning into a vermilion goldfish.

I wouldn't mind turning into a vermilion goldfish.

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose,...

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose,...

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

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

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 only after years of preparation that the young artist should touch color -...

It is only after years of preparation that the young artist should touch color -...

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

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

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose,...

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose,...

He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back.

He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back.

I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have a...

I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have a...

Better late than never is poor consolation for the man who has lost the opportunity...

Better late than never is poor consolation for the man who has lost the opportunity...

A picture must possess a real power to generate light and for a long time...

A picture must possess a real power to generate light and for a long time...

With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.

With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.

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.

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...

Time extracts various values from a painter's work. When these values are exhausted the pictures...

Time extracts various values from a painter's work. When these values are exhausted the pictures...

Aren't you [Tahiti Lagoons] one of the seven wonders of the Paradise of painters?

Aren't you [Tahiti Lagoons] one of the seven wonders of the Paradise of painters?

Creativity takes courage.

Creativity takes courage.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to...

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to...

We need creativity in order to break free from the temporary structures that have been...

We need creativity in order to break free from the temporary structures that have been...