Robert Henri Quotes (11 Quotes)

The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.

A tree growing out of the ground is as wonderful today as it ever was. It does not need to adopt new and startling methods.

Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away.

Genius is not a possession of the limited few, but exists in some degree in everyone. Where there is natural growth, a full and free play of faculties, genius will manifest itself.

When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and opens ways for better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still more pages possible.

I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.

Know what the old masters did. Know how they composed their pictures, but do not fall into the conventions they established. These conventions were right for them, and they are wonderful. They made their language. You make yours. All the past can help you.

Do whatever you do intensely.

It will stick with you and show up for better or worse in spite of all you or anyone else can do.

There are mighty few people who think what they think they think.