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

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...

Exactitude is not truth.

Exactitude is not truth.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Creativity takes courage.

Creativity takes courage.

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...

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,...

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.

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

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

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...

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...

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 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.

Creativity takes courage.

Creativity takes courage.

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'm growing old, I delight in the past.

I'm growing old, I delight in the past.

I look back on my life like a good day's work; it was done and...

I look back on my life like a good day's work; it was done and...

Don't beat yourself up over past mistakes. Hold your head high and dry your tears....

Don't beat yourself up over past mistakes. Hold your head high and dry your tears....