I hold that the perfection of form and beauty is contained in the sum of all men.

The artist is chosen by God to fulfill his commands and must never be overwhelmed by public opinion.

As I grew older, I realized that it was much better to insist on the genuine forms of nature, for simplicity is the greatest adornment of art.

Why has God given me such magnificent talent? It is a curse as well as a great blessing.

What beauty is, I know not, though it adheres to many things.

No single man can be taken as a model for a perfect figure, for no man lives on earth who is endowed with the whole of beauty.