I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.
Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.
I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.
For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
It is not the language of painters but the language of nature which one should listen to, the feeling for the things themselves, for reality is more important than the feeling for pictures.
When I have a terrible need of – shall I say the word – religion. Then I go out and paint the stars.
But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.
I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God’s help I shall succeed.
Those Dutchmen had hardly any imagination or fantasy, but their good taste and their scientific knowledge of composition were enormous.
I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
There may be a great fire in our hearts, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.
In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.
I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.
Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion.
Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination do not become the slave of your model.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.
Poetry surrounds us everywhere, but putting it on paper is, alas, not so easy as looking at it.