Drawing is the artist's most direct and spontaneous expression, a species of writing: it reveals, better than does painting, his true personality.
Edgar DegasRead
An artist must approach his work in the spirit of the criminal about to commit a crime.
Interpretation
What this quote means
An artist should immerse themselves in their creative process with intensity and passion, similar to how a criminal is deeply focused before committing a crime.
This quote by Edgar Degas suggests that to create art, one must adopt a mindset that is fully engaged and fearless, akin to that of a criminal preparing to undertake a serious act. It implies that art requires a kind of dedication and emotional involvement that can be dramatic and consuming, as artists navigate their creative impulses much like a criminal navigates their intentions, with a singular focus and depth of commitment.
Themes
ArtistCreativityPassionCommitmentArtwork
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during an art workshop to inspire participants to channel their emotions when creating.
More from Edgar Degas
All quotes βNo art is less spontaneous than mine. What I do is the result of reflection and the study of the great masters.
Edgar DegasRead
Everyone has talent at twenty-five. The difficulty is to have it at fifty.
Edgar DegasRead
It is all very well to copy what one sees, but it is far better to draw what one now only sees in one's memory. That is a transformation in which imagination collaborates with memory.
Edgar DegasRead
The Dance instills in you something that sets you apart. Something heroic and remote.
Edgar DegasRead
You have to have a high conception, not of what you are doing, but of what you may do one day: without that, there's no point in working.
Edgar DegasRead
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