Quotes from Robert Henri

The big painter is one who has something to say. He thus does not paint men, landscape or furniture, but an idea.

Through art mysterious bonds of understanding and of knowledge are established among men.

It seems to me that before a man tries to express anything to the world he must recognize in himself an individual, a new one, very distinct from others.

Artists must be men of wit, consciously or unconsciously philosophers; read, study and think a great deal of life.

Reality is obtained not by imitation, but by producing the sense of nature.

Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away.

By my teaching I hope to inspire you to personal activity and to present your vision.

Genius is not a possession of the limited few, but exists in some degree in everyone. Where there is natural growth, a full and free play of faculties, genius will manifest itself.

Knowledge of anatomy is a tool like good brushes.

To have ideas one must have imagination. To express ideas one must have science.

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.

Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away.

Cherish your own emotions and never undervalue them.

The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.

Do whatever you do intensely.

Don't worry about your originality. You couldn't get rid of it even if you wanted to. It will stick with you and show up for better or worse in spite of all you or anyone else can do.

I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.

Art is, after all, only a trace – like a footprint which shows that one has walked bravely and in great happiness.

There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day, when we seem to see beyond the usual- become clairvoyant. We reach then into reality. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest wisdom. It is in the nature of all people to have these experiences; but in our time and under the conditions of our lives, it is only a rare few who are able to continue in the experience and find expression for it.

All real works of art look as though they were done in joy.

There is no art without contemplation.

When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and opens ways for better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still more pages possible.

Do whatever you do intensely. The artist is the man who leaves the crowd and goes pioneering. With him there is an idea which is his life.

Color is only beautiful when it means something.