A picture must possess a real power to generate light and for a long time now I've been conscious of expressing myself through light or rather in light.
Henri Matisse

A young woman has young claws, well sharpened. If she has character, that is. And if she hasn't so much the worse for you.
Henri Matisse

An artist must never be a prisoner. Prisoner? An artist should never be a prisoner of himself, prisoner of style, prisoner of reputation, prisoner of success, etc.
Henri Matisse

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

Creativity takes courage.
Henri Matisse

Cutting into color reminds me of the sculptor's direct carving.
Henri Matisse

Derive happiness in oneself from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us.
Henri Matisse

Drawing is like making an expressive gesture with the advantage of permanence.
Henri Matisse

Exactitude is not truth.
Henri Matisse

He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back.
Henri Matisse


I do not literally paint that table, but the emotion it produces upon me.
Henri Matisse

I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some sort of Buddhist. But the essential thing is to put oneself in a frame of mind which is close to that of prayer.
Henri Matisse

I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things.
Henri Matisse

I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have a light joyousness of springtime which never lets anyone suspect the labors it has cost me.
Henri Matisse

I have been no more than a medium, as it were.
Henri Matisse

I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth when all the world is new to it.
Henri Matisse

I wouldn't mind turning into a vermilion goldfish.
Henri Matisse

I'm growing old, I delight in the past.
Henri Matisse

Impressionism is the newspaper of the soul.
Henri Matisse

In love, the one who runs away is the winner.
Henri Matisse