Robert Henri Quotes

“Art cannot be separated from life. It is the expression of the greatest need of which life is capable, and we value art not because of the skilled product, but because of its revelation of a life's experience.”

“Genius is not a possession of the limited few, but exists in some degree in everyone. Where there is natural growth, a full and free play of faculties, genius will manifest itself.”

“A tree growing out of the ground is as wonderful today as it ever was. It does not need to adopt new and startling methods.”

“There is no art without contemplation.”

“Many things that come into the world are not looked into. The individual says 'My crowd doesn't run that way.' I say, don't run with crowds.”

“Art is, after all, only a trace – like a footprint which shows that one has walked bravely and in great happiness.”

“A common defect of modern art study is that too many students do not know why they draw.”

“All real works of art look as though they were done in joy.”

“It is harder to see than it is to express. The whole value of art rests in the artist's ability to see well into what is before him.”

“There is only one reason for art in America, and that is that the people of America learn the means of expressing themselves in their own time, and their own land.”

“Don't worry about your originality. You couldn't get rid of it even if you wanted to. It will stick with you and show up for better or worse in spite of all you or anyone else can do.”

“Color is only beautiful when it means something.”

“Do whatever you do intensely. The artist is the man who leaves the crowd and goes pioneering. With him there is an idea which is his life.”

“A Curve does not exist in its full power until contrasted with a straight line.”

“You pass people on the street, some are for you, some are not.”

“Paint what you feel. Paint what you see. Paint what is real to you.”

“Different men are moved or left cold by lines according to the difference in their natures. What moves you is beautiful to you.”