Since the model he so faithfully copies is not going to be hung up next to the picture... it is of no interest whether it is an accurate copy of the model.
Lucian FreudRead
A painter's tastes must grow out of what so obsesses him in life that he never has to ask himself what it is suitable for him to do in art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that an artist's passion and obsession in life should directly inform their artistic choices, eliminating the need for self-doubt in their work.
Lucian Freud suggests that a true artist is so deeply connected to their interests and experiences in life that these elements naturally guide their artistic expression. Instead of questioning the appropriateness of their art, their fervent obsessions become the driving force behind their creative endeavors, leading to authenticity and personal relevance in their work.
Themes
ArtistCreativityPassionSelf-ExpressionAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
During an art class, the teacher quoted Freud to inspire students to draw from their personal experiences.
More from Lucian Freud
All quotes →When I look at a body it gives me choice of what to put in a painting, what will suit me and what won't. There is a distinction between fact and truth. Truth has an element of revelation about it. If something is true, it does more than strike one as merely being so.
Lucian FreudRead
It is the only point of getting up every morning: to paint, to make something good, to make something even better than before, not to give up, to compete, to be ambitious.
Lucian FreudRead
The character of the artist doesn't enter into the nature of the art
Lucian FreudRead
I paint people, not because of what they are like, not exactly in spite of what they are like, but how they happen to be.
Lucian FreudRead
I could never put anything into a picture that wasn't actually there in front of me. That would be a pointless lie, a mere bit of artfulness.
Lucian FreudRead
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