Henri Matisse Quotes

Henri Matisse Quotes

Creativity takes courage.

Henri Matisse

I'm growing old, I delight in the past.

Henri Matisse

What I am after, above all, is expression.

Henri Matisse (Notes of a Painter, 1908)

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

Henri Matisse

You study, you learn, but you guard the original naiveté.

Henri Matisse (Quoted in Time Magazine, 1950)


Matisse Quote: Derive happiness in oneself from a good...

He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back.

Henri Matisse (Quoted in Matisse on Art, 1995)

Derive happiness in oneself from a good day’s work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us.

Henri Matisse

For me all is in the conception. I must therefore have a clear vision of the whole from the beginning.

Henri Matisse (Notes of a Painter, 1908)

For my part I have never avoided the influence of others. I would have considered it cowardice and a lack of sincerity toward myself.

Henri Matisse (Interview - L'Art Vivant, 1925)

Slowly I discovered the secret of my art. It consists of a meditation on nature, on the expression of a dream which is always inspired by reality.

Henri Matisse (Interview - L'Art Vivant, 1925)

I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have the light joyousness of springtime which never lets anyone suspect the labors it has cost me...

Henri Matisse

A picture must possess a real power to generate light ... for a long time now I've been conscious of expressing myself through light or rather in light.

Henri Matisse

An artist must never be a prisoner. Prisoner? An artist should never be a prisoner of himself, prisoner of style, prisoner of reputation, prisoner of success, etc.

Henri Matisse (Quoted in Matisse on Art, 1978)

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.

Henri Matisse

I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some sort of Buddhist. But the essential thing is to put oneself in a frame of mind which is close to that of prayer.

Henri Matisse (Quoted in A Journey Into Matisse's South of France, 2006)

An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that will prepare the mastery which will later enable him to express himself in his own language.

Henri Matisse (Letter to Henry Clifford, 1948)

In the beginning you must subject yourself to the influence of nature. You must be able to walk firmly on the ground before you start walking on a tightrope.

Henri Matisse (Quoted in Matisse, The Man and his Art, 1986)

What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.

Henri Matisse (Quoted in Matisse on Art, 1978)

Henri Matisse Biography

Born: December 31, 1869
Died: November 3, 1954

Henri Matisse was a French artist and painter. He is best known for his style of painting and originality. His style has with time gained him immense popularity.

Notable Works

Notes of a Painter (1908)