All works, no matter what or by whom painted, are nothing but bagatelles and childish trifles... unless they are made and painted from life, and there can be nothing... better than to follow nature.
Interpretation
Art is only of value when it is created from real-life experiences and nature.
In this quote, Caravaggio emphasizes the importance of grounding artistic work in real-life experiences and nature. He suggests that all artistic creations are trivial unless they are inspired by the beauty and truth found in the natural world, highlighting the significance of authenticity in art.
In practice
During an art workshop, to remind participants of the importance of realism, I might say this quote.
She breathed deeply of the scent of decaying fiction, disintegrating history, and forgotten verse, and she observed for the first time that a room full of books smelled like dessert: a sweet snack made of figs, vanilla, glue, and cleverness.
I do not photograph nature. I photograph my visions.
The important thing is to feel your music, really feel it and believe it.
Nay, what is worse, perhaps turn poet, which, they say, is an infectious and incurable distemper.
A poem is never finished, only abandoned.
I write essays to clear my mind. I write fiction to open my heart.
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