James Whistler

The vast majority of English folk cannot and will not consider a picture as a picture, apart from any story which it may be supposed to tell.

It takes a long time for a man to look like his portrait.

I am not arguing with you – I am telling you.

An artist’s career always begins tomorrow.

You shouldn’t say it is not good. You should say, you do not like it; and then, you know, you’re perfectly safe.

I can’t tell you if genius is hereditary, because heaven has granted me no offspring.

I maintain that two and two would continue to make four, in spite of the whine of the amateur for three, or the cry of the critic for five.

Work alone will efface the footsteps of work.

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.

If other people are going to talk, conversation becomes impossible.

The rare few, who, early in life have rid themselves of the friendship of the many.

To say to the painter that Nature is to be taken as she is, is to say to the player that he may sit on the piano.