Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things

Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things

Are we to paint what's on the face, what's inside the face, or what's behind it?

Are we to paint what's on the face, what's inside the face, or what's behind it?

A flattering painter, who made it his care
To draw men as they ought to be, not as they read more

A flattering painter, who made it his care
To draw men as they ought to be, not as they are.

I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure read more

I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream

Vain is the hope by colouring to display
The bright effulgence of the noontide ray
Or paint read more

Vain is the hope by colouring to display
The bright effulgence of the noontide ray
Or paint the full-orb'd ruler of the skies
With pencils dipt in dull terrestrial dyes.

He paints a dolphin in the woods, a boar in the waves.
[Lat., Delphinum sylvis appingit, fluctibus aprum.]

He paints a dolphin in the woods, a boar in the waves.
[Lat., Delphinum sylvis appingit, fluctibus aprum.]

And those who paint 'em truest praise 'em most.

And those who paint 'em truest praise 'em most.

Pictures must not be too picturesque.

Pictures must not be too picturesque.

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?