Quotes from Peter Paul Rubens

My talent is such that no undertaking, however vast in size... has ever surpassed my courage.

I'm just a simple man standing alone with my old brushes, asking God for inspiration.

Every child has the spirit of creation. The rubbish of life often exterminates the spirit through plague and a souls own wretchedness.

As to the 'St. Michael,' the subject is very fine, but very difficult, so I doubt that I shall find easily amongst my pupils one capable of carrying it out satisfactorily even after my own drawing. In any case, it will be necessary for me to touch it up carefully with my own hand.

I paint a woman's big rounded buttocks so that I want to reach out and stroke the dimpled flesh.

Sir, when their backsides look good enough to slap, there's nothing more to do.

My talent is such that no undertaking, however vast in size... has ever surpassed my courage.