An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that will prepare the mastery which will later enable him to express himself in his own language. – Henri Matisse
Drawing is like making an expressive gesture with the advantage of permanence. – Henri Matisse
Time extracts various values from a painters work. When these values are exhausted the pictures are forgotten, and the more a picture has to give, the greater it is. – Henri Matisse
What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue. – Henri Matisse