Caspar David Friedrich

What the newer landscape artists see in a circle of a hundred degrees in Nature they press together unmercifully into an angle of vision of only forty-five degrees. And furthermore, what is in Nature separated by large spaces, is compressed into a cramped space and overfills and oversatiates the eye, creating an unfavorable and disquieting effect on the viewer.

I have to stay alone in order to fully contemplate and feel nature.

If he sees nothing within, then he should stop painting what is in front of him.

I must stay alone and know that I am alone to contemplate and feel nature in full; I have to surrender myself to what encircles me, I have to merge with my clouds and rocks in order to be what I am.

All authentic art is conceived at a sacred moment and nourished in a blessed hour; an inner impulse creates it, often without the artist being aware of it.

The pure, frank sentiments we hold in our hearts are the only truthful sources of art.

A painting which does not take its inspiration from the heart is nothing more than futile juggling.