The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.
Alberto Giacometti
Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the critic.
Ambrose Bierce
Works of art, in my opinion, are the only objects in the material universe to possess internal order, and that is why, though I don't believe that only art matters, I do believe in Art for Art's sake.
E. M. Forster
Art is on the side of the oppressed. Think before you shudder at the simplistic dictum and its heretical definition of the freedom of art. For if art is freedom of the spirit, how can it exist within the oppressors?
Edith Wharton
Art is coming face to face with yourself. That's what's wrong with Benton. He came face to face with Michelangelo-- and he lost
Jackson Pollock
The proper school to learn art is not life but art
Oscar Wilde
Art requires philosophy, just as philosophy requires art. Otherwise, what would become of beauty?
Paul Gauguin
The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.
Anatole France
Art is the most passionate orgy within man's grasp.
John Donne
We have lost the art of living, and in the most important science of all, the science of daily life, the science of behavior, we are complete ignoramuses. We have psychology instead.
D.H. Lawrence
Art is not a pleasure, a solace, or an amusement; art is great matter. Art is an organ of human life, transmitting man's reasonable perception into feeling. In our age the common religious perception of men is the consciousness of the brotherhood of man-we know that the well-being of man lies in the union with his fellow men. True science should indicate the various methods of applying this consciousness to life. Art should transform this perception into feeling. The task of art is enormous. Through the influence of real art, aided by science, guided by religion, that peaceful co-operation of man is now obtained by external means-by law courts, police, charitable institutions, factory inspection, etc.-should be obtained by man's free and joyous activity. Art should cause violence to be set aside. And it is only art that can accomplish this.
Leo N. Tolstoy
Art-speech is the only truth. An artist is usually a damned liar, but his art, if it be art, will tell you the truth of his day. And that is all that matters. Away with eternal truth.
D.H. Lawrence