James Whistler quotes: wise famous quotes, sayings and quotations by James Whistler

James Whistler Famous Quotes & Sayings

Discover top inspirational quotes from James Whistler on Wise Famous Quotes.

James Whistler quotes: 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.

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.

James Whistler quotes: I can't tell you if genius is hereditary, because heaven has granted me no offspring.

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

James Whistler quotes: An artist's career always begins tomorrow.

An artist's career always begins tomorrow.

James Whistler quotes: For art and joy go together, with bold openness, and high head, and ready hand - fearing naught and dreading no exposure.

For art and joy go together, with bold openness, and high head, and ready hand - fearing naught and dreading no exposure.

James Whistler quotes: It takes a long time for a man to look like his portrait.

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

James Whistler quotes: A picture is finished when all trace of the means used to bring about the end has disappeared.

A picture is finished when all trace of the means used to bring about the end has disappeared.

James Whistler quotes: Nature is very rarely right, to such an extent even, that it might almost be said that nature is usually wrong ...

Nature is very rarely right, to such an extent even, that it might almost be said that nature is usually wrong ...

James Whistler quotes: You should not say it is not good. You should say you do not like it; and then, you know, you're perfectly safe.

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

James Whistler quotes: The explanation is quite simple. I wished to be near my mother.

The explanation is quite simple. I wished to be near my mother.

James Whistler quotes: Can't a person be born where they want to be born?

Can't a person be born where they want to be born?

James Whistler quotes: I always ask at once, 'Do you drink?' and if she says 'No,' I bow politely and say I am sorry but I fear she will not suit. All good

I always ask at once, 'Do you drink?' and if she says 'No,' I bow politely and say I am sorry but I fear she will not suit. All good cooks drink.

James Whistler quotes: 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.

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.

James Whistler quotes: Art is limited to the infinite, and beginning there cannot progress.

Art is limited to the infinite, and beginning there cannot progress.

James Whistler quotes: If silicon had been a gas I should have been a major-general.

If silicon had been a gas I should have been a major-general.

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

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

James Whistler quotes: We look at a painting to know the painter; it's his company we are after, not his skill.

We look at a painting to know the painter; it's his company we are after, not his skill.

James Whistler quotes: An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.

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

James Whistler quotes: The work of a master reeks not of the sweat of the brow - suggests no effort - and is finished from its beginning.

The work of a master reeks not of the sweat of the brow - suggests no effort - and is finished from its beginning.

James Whistler quotes: Art happens-no hovel is safe from it, no prince may depend upon it, the vastest intelligence cannot bring it about.

Art happens-no hovel is safe from it, no prince may depend upon it, the vastest intelligence cannot bring it about.

James Whistler quotes: I remember that at one time I always made a drawing before going to bed!! - Of myself I mean - though I finally destroyed most of them.

I remember that at one time I always made a drawing before going to bed!! - Of myself I mean - though I finally destroyed most of them.

James Whistler quotes: People will forgive anything but beauty and talent. So I am doubly unpardonable.

People will forgive anything but beauty and talent. So I am doubly unpardonable.

James Whistler quotes: If other people are going to talk, conversation becomes impossible.

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

James Whistler quotes: Mauve is just pink trying to be purple.

Mauve is just pink trying to be purple.

James Whistler quotes: Nature is usually wrong.

Nature is usually wrong.

James Whistler quotes: Paint should not be applied thick. It should be like a breath on the surface of a pane of glass.

Paint should not be applied thick. It should be like a breath on the surface of a pane of glass.

James Whistler quotes: I am not arguing with you - I am telling you.

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

James Whistler quotes: As music is the poetry of sound, so is painting the poetry of sight and the subject-matter has nothing to do with harmony of sound or of color.

As music is the poetry of sound, so is painting the poetry of sight and the subject-matter has nothing to do with harmony of sound or of color.

James Whistler quotes: Listen! There was never an artistic period. There was never an art-loving nation.

Listen! There was never an artistic period. There was never an art-loving nation.

James Whistler quotes: To say of a picture, as is often said in its praise, that it shows great and earnest labour, is to say that it is incomplete and unfit for view.

To say of a picture, as is often said in its praise, that it shows great and earnest labour, is to say that it is incomplete and unfit for view.

James Whistler quotes: 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.

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.