An art which isn't based on feeling isn't an art at all... feeling is the principle, the beginning and the end; craft, objective, technique - all these are in the middle.
Paul CezanneRead
Painting, like any art, comprises a technique, a workmanlike handling of material, but the accuracy of a tone and the fictitious combination of effects depend entirely on the choice made by the artist.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Art is a blend of technique and personal choice, with the artist's decisions shaping the final work.
In this quote, Paul Cezanne emphasizes that while technical skill and material handling are essential in painting, the true essence of the art lies in the personal choices and creative decisions made by the artist. This reflects the idea that art is not just about following rules but also about individual expression and interpretation.
Themes
ArtPaintingTechniqueArtistChoiceCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on artistic expression, one could use this quote to illustrate the importance of personal choice in creating meaningful art.
More from Paul Cezanne
All quotes →Taste is the best judge. It is rare. Art only addresses itself to an excessively small number of individuals.
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Monet is only an eye, but my God, what an eye!
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If I were called upon to define briefly the word Art, I should call it the reproduction of what the senses preceive in nature, seen through the veil of the soul.
Paul CezanneRead
The landscape thinks itself in me and I am its consciousness.
Paul CezanneRead
I lack the magnificent richness of color that animates nature.
Paul CezanneRead
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