The painter of genius will not waste a moment upon those smaller objects which only serve to catch the sense, to divide the attention, and to counteract his great design of speaking to the heart. — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
A painter must compensate the natural deficiencies of his art. He has but one sentence to utter, but one moment to exhibit. He cannot, like the poet or historian, expatiate, and impress the mind... — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
Words should be employed as the means, not the end; language is the instrument, conviction is the work. — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
Grandeur of effect is produced by two different ways which seem entirely opposed to each other. One is by reducing the colors to little… — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
And he who does not know himself does not know others, so it may be said with equal truth, that he who does not… — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
If you have great talents, industry will improve them: if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiency. — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
The general ideas which are expressed in sketches, correspond very well to the art often used in poetry... every reader making out the detail… — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
All the gestures of children are graceful; the reign of distortion and unnatural attitudes commences with the introduction of the dancing master. — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
Our studies will be forever, in a very great degree, under the direction of chance; like travelers, we must take what we can get,… — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
Style in painting is the same as in writing; a power over materials, whether words or colors, by which conceptions or sentiments are conveyed. — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
The distinct blue, red, and yellow colors... though they have not the kind of harmony which is produced by a variety of broken and… — Joshua Reynolds Copy Share Image
