I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things. Henri Matisse on art
Drawing is like making an expressive gesture with the advantage of permanence. Henri Matisse on art
Time extracts various values from a painter's work. When these values are exhausted the pictures are forgotten, and the more a picture has to give, the greater it is. Henri Matisse on art
What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue. Henri Matisse on art
It is only after years of preparation that the young artist should touch color - not color used descriptively, that is, but as a means of personal expression. Henri Matisse on design
What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue. Henri Matisse on good
Derive happiness in oneself from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us. Henri Matisse on happiness
He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices he is free and nothing holds him back. Henri Matisse on love
There are always flowers for those who want to see them. Henri Matisse on nature
An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that will prepare the mastery which will later enable him to express himself in his own language. Henri Matisse on nature
In the beginning you must subject yourself to the influence of nature. You must be able to walk firmly on the ground before you start walking on a tightrope. Henri Matisse on nature
A picture must possess a real power to generate light and for a long time now I've been conscious of expressing myself through light or rather in light. Henri Matisse on power
An artist must never be a prisoner. Prisoner? An artist should never be a prisoner of himself, prisoner of style, prisoner of reputation, prisoner of success, etc. Henri Matisse on success