“I have never seen an angel. Show me an angel, and I'll paint one.”

—  Gustave Courbet

Courbet, c 1860's, later quoted by Vincent van Gogh in a letter to brother Theo (July, 1885); in The letters of Vincent van Gogh, ed. Ronal de Leeuw - Penguin, New York, 1996, p. 302
1860s

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update July 2, 2026. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "I have never seen an angel. Show me an angel, and I'll paint one." by Gustave Courbet?
Gustave Courbet photo
Gustave Courbet30
French painter 1819–1877

Related quotes

Natalie Merchant photo

“these sobering sights I've seen
in the City of Angels
have all been one rude awakening
that was due to me
in this city of fallen angels”

Natalie Merchant (1963) American singer-songwriter

Song lyrics, In My Tribe (1987), City of Angels

“You know, bad people, I've never seen bad people have angels. That's interesting you should ask that, because I've never seen angels around bad people.”

Sylvia Browne (1936–2013) American author

May 16, 2003 Larry King Live, CNN interview http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0305/16/lkl.00.html

Anne Rice photo

“If I am an angel, paint me with black wings.”

Anne Rice book The Vampire Armand

Source: The Vampire Armand

Bono photo

“Jesus never let me down
You know Jesus used to show me the score
Then they put Jesus in show business
Now it's hard to get in the door, angel.”

Bono (1960) Irish rock musician, singer of U2

"If God Will Send His Angels"
Lyrics, Pop (1997)

Sylvia Day photo

“I'll catch you angel, i'll always catch you.”

Sylvia Day (1973) American writer

Source: Reflected in You

Brian K. Vaughan photo

“It's TV shows like BUFFY and ANGEL that usually have an incredible cliffhanger every commercial break that amaze me.”

Brian K. Vaughan (1976) American screenwriter, comic book creator

Ain't It Cool News interview

Sylvia Day photo

“I’ve always seen you, angel. From the moment you found me, I’ve seen nothing but you.”

Sylvia Day book Bared to You

Source: Bared to You

Wallace Stevens photo

“I am the angel of reality,
Seen for a moment standing in the door.”

Wallace Stevens (1879–1955) American poet

"Angel Surrounded by Paysans" (1949)

Nicholas Sparks photo

“And don't worry. From wherever I am, I'll watch out for you. I'll be your guardian angel, sweetheart. You can count on me to keep you safe.”

Nicholas Sparks (1965) American writer and novelist

Jim Barenson, Prologue, p. xv-xvi
2000s, The Guardian (2003)

Anne Rice photo

“Doesn't matter now, devils who paint angels.”

Anne Rice book The Vampire Lestat

The Vampire Lestat (1985)

Related topics