James Whistler

I maintain that two and two would continue to make four, in spite of the whine of the amateur for three, or the cry of the critic for five.

The vast majority of English folk cannot and will not consider a picture as a picture, apart from any story which it may be supposed to tell.

Work alone will efface the footsteps of work.

I can't tell you if genius is hereditary, because heaven has granted me no offspring.

You shouldn't say it is not good. You should say, you do not like it; and then, you know, you're perfectly safe.

An artist's career always begins tomorrow.

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.

I am not arguing with you - I am telling you.

To say to the painter that Nature is to be taken as she is, is to say to the player that he may sit on the piano.

If other people are going to talk, conversation becomes impossible.

It takes a long time for a man to look like his portrait.

The rare few, who, early in life have rid themselves of the friendship of the many.