The real sustains the same relation to the ideal that a stone does to a statue - or that paint does to a painting. Realism degrades and impoverishes.

Painting is the representation of visible forms. The essence of realism is its negation of the ideal.

Painting is the representation of visible forms. . . The essence of realism is its negation of the ideal.

There are always loose ends in real life.

Painting something that defies the law of the land is good. Painting something that defies the law of the land and the law of gravity at the same time is ideal.

A great man does not seek applause or place; he seeks for truth; he seeks the road to happiness, and what he ascertains, he gives to others.