Were it not for this [dissatisfaction], the perfect…
![“Were it not for this [dissatisfaction], the perfect painting might be painted, on the completion of which the painter could retire. It is this great insufficiency that drives him on. The process of creation becomes necessary to the painter perhaps more than it is in the picture. The process is in…” quote by Lucian Freud](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/4d2/lucian-freud-12071_completion_were-it-not-for-this-dissatisfaction-the_1882674.jpg)
“Were it not for this [dissatisfaction], the perfect painting might be painted, on the completion of which the painter could retire. It is this great insufficiency that drives him on. The process of creation becomes necessary to the painter perhaps more than it is in the picture. The process is in fact habit-forming.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The artist argues that an inherent sense of incompleteness fuels continual creation, making the act of making art a habit more vital than the finished work.
In simple terms: Artists keep creating because they never feel fully satisfied.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the process, not just the product.
Themes
creativity
perfectionism
artistic drive
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- painting
- writing
- design
- musical composition
Key Concepts
existential drive
habit formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dissatisfaction motivate you?
- When does it hinder you?
A Different Perspective
The need for perfection can cause paralysis.