Man's naked form belongs to no particular moment in history; it is eternal, and can be looked upon with joy by the people of all ages.

There is nothing ugly in art except that which is without character, that is to say, that which offers no outer or inner truth.

There should be no argument in regard to morality in art. There is no morality in nature.

A mediocre man copying nature will never produce a work of art, because he really looks without seeing, and though he may have noted each detail minutely, the result will be flat and without character... the artist on the contrary, sees; that is to say, his eye, grafted on his heart, reads deeply into the bosom of nature.

The work of art is already within the block of marble. I just chop off whatever isn't needed.

Art is the pleasure of a spirit that enters nature and discovers that it too has a soul.