As for myself, I met with as much success as I ever could have wanted. In other words, I was enthusiastically run-down by every critic of the period.
Interpretation
Monet reflects on achieving his goals while facing harsh criticism, highlighting the dual nature of success.
In this quote, Claude Monet expresses that he attained the level of success he desired, yet acknowledges the significant criticism and scrutiny he faced from art critics during his time. This sentiment illustrates the paradox that often accompanies success; while one may achieve personal goals, they may also attract negativity and skepticism from others, showing that the journey to recognition is oftentimes riddled with challenges.
In practice
In a speech about resilience in the arts, one might quote Monet to illustrate the struggles artists face.
When you go out to paint, try to forget what objects you have before you - a tree, house, a field....Merely think, here is a little square of blue, here an oblong of pink, here a streak of yellow, and paint it just as it looks to you, the exact color and shape, until it gives your own naive impression of the scene before you.
Zaandam has enough to paint for a lifetime.
The effect of sincerity is to give one's work the character of a protest. The painter, being concerned only with conveying his impression, simply seeks to be himself and no one else.
The light constantly changes, and that alters the atmosphere and beauty of things every minute.
Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment. To such an extent indeed that one day, finding myself at the deathbed of a woman who had been and still was very dear to me, I caught myself in the act of focusing on her temples and automatically analyzing the succession of appropriately graded colors which death was imposing on her motionless face.
I am following Nature without being able to grasp her, I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.
Together, joined in effort by the burden, they staggered up the last steep of the mountain. Together, they chanted One! Two! Three! and crashed the log on to the great pile. Then they stepped back, laughing with triumphant pleasure.
Little things make the difference. Everyone is well prepared in the big things, but only the winners perfect the little things.
Always deliver more than expected.
Your paycheck is not your employer's responsibility, it's your responsibility. Your employer has no control over your value, but you do.
They said I was the greatest pitcher they ever sawI couldnt understand why they couldnt give me no justice.
I have inherited two of the most important brands in hip-hop, Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella. Reid and Universal Music Group have given me the opportunity to manage the companies I have contributed to my whole career. I feel this is a giant step for me and the entire artist community.
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