--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've done what I could as a painter and…" description: "\"I've done what I could as a painter and that seems to me to be sufficient. I don't want to be compared to the great masters of the past, and my paintin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52d/claude-monet-2110_artist_i-ve-done-what-i-could-as-a-painter-and_1429864.png" --- # I've done what I could as a painter and that seems to me… ![“I've done what I could as a painter and that seems to me to be sufficient. I don't want to be compared to the great masters of the past, and my painting is open to criticism; that's enough.” quote by Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52d/claude-monet-2110_artist_i-ve-done-what-i-could-as-a-painter-and_1429864.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52d/claude-monet-2110_artist_i-ve-done-what-i-could-as-a-painter-and_1429864.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52d/claude-monet-2110_artist_i-ve-done-what-i-could-as-a-painter-and_1429864.png) > “I've done what I could as a painter and that seems to me to be sufficient. I don't want to be compared to the great masters of the past, and my painting is open to criticism; that's enough.” [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Accepting one’s own work as enough frees creative expression. **In simple terms:** Enough as is enough. Key Takeaway Embrace your own art. Themes self‑acceptance creativity humility Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - artist statements - art education - self‑critique - public exhibition Key Concepts artistic integrity personal standards Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure personal progress? - When is it okay to stop seeking external validation? A Different Perspective Comparing to masters can stifle growth; balance confidence with learning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [Open Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-criticism-462759/) [Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter/) [Painter Sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter-sufficient-5087565/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Painting Open](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting-open-5087567/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-painting-5087566/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufficient/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [This issue, if not addressed, leaves any President, including George Bush, open to the criticism that they are essentially ignoring the destruction of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-tancredo/this-issue-if-not-addressed-leaves-any-president-including-george/) [Tom Tancredo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-tancredo/) > [Throughout my career, I have criticized my every single step and I am open to any criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prosenjit-chatterjee/throughout-my-career-i-have-criticized-my-every-single-step-and-i-am/) [Prosenjit Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prosenjit-chatterjee/) > [Democracy provides the space for open criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravish-kumar/democracy-provides-the-space-for-open-criticism/) [Ravish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravish-kumar/) > [There is still an element of the BBC that feels it is somehow wrong, or it will be open to criticism, if it makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armando-iannucci/there-is-still-an-element-of-the-bbc-that-feels-it-is-somehow-wrong/) [Armando Iannucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armando-iannucci/) > [If you're open for praise, you have to be open to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-bailey/if-you-re-open-for-praise-you-have-to-be-open-to-criticism/) [Donovan Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-bailey/) > [We are Wikipedians. 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Painting, like all other arts, rests on a continuity of experience. More than anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilya-ehrenburg/unfortunately-young-russian-artists-are-in-a-difficult-position-today/) [Ilya Ehrenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilya-ehrenburg/) > [Impressionism is only direct sensation. All great painters were less or more impressionists. It is mainly a question of instinct, and much simpler than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/impressionism-is-only-direct-sensation-all-great-painters-were-less/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [By the single example of this painter devoted to his art with such independence, my destiny as a painter opened out to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/by-the-single-example-of-this-painter-devoted-to-his-art-with-such/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [Intellectual methods-study and reason-are essential to our progress toward eternal life, but they are not sufficient. They can prepare the way. They can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/intellectual-methods-study-and-reason-are-essential-to-our-progress/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [It is easy to speak words of love, or to meditate lovingly upon those people with whom you are in harmony. But it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ponder/it-is-easy-to-speak-words-of-love-or-to-meditate-lovingly-upon-those/) [Catherine Ponder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ponder/) ## More by Claude Monet > [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [When I look at nature I feel as if I'll be able to paint it all, note it all down, and then you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/when-i-look-at-nature-i-feel-as-if-i-ll-be-able-to-paint-it-all-note/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [My life has been nothing but a failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/my-life-has-been-nothing-but-a-failure/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [Despite my extremely modest prices, dealers and art lovers are turning their backs on me. It is very depressing to see the lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/despite-my-extremely-modest-prices-dealers-and-art-lovers-are-turning/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I didn't become an impressionist. As long as I can remember I always have been one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/i-didn-t-become-an-impressionist-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-always/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I have once more taken up things that can't be done: water with grasses weaving on the bottom. But I'm always tackling that sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/i-have-once-more-taken-up-things-that-can-t-be-done-water-with/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [All I did was to look at what the universe showed me, to let my brush bear witness to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/all-i-did-was-to-look-at-what-the-universe-showed-me-to-let-my-brush/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I do have a dream, a painting, the baths of La Grenouillere for which I've done a few bad rough sketches, but it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/i-do-have-a-dream-a-painting-the-baths-of-la-grenouillere-for-which-i/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [While adding the finishing touches to a painting might appear insignificant, it is much harder to do than one might suppose...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/while-adding-the-finishing-touches-to-a-painting-might-appear/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [What is it that's taken hold of me, for me to carry on like this in relentless pursuit of something beyond my powers?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/what-is-it-that-s-taken-hold-of-me-for-me-to-carry-on-like-this-in/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I've said it before and can only repeat that I owe everything to Boudin and I attribute my success to him. I came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/i-ve-said-it-before-and-can-only-repeat-that-i-owe-everything-to/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment. To such an extent indeed that one day, finding myself at the deathbed of a woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/color-is-my-day-long-obsession-joy-and-torment-to-such-an-extent/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [It would be a very bad idea... to exhibit even a small number of this new series, as the whole effect can only be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-would-be-a-very-bad-idea-to-exhibit-even-a-small-number-of-this/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [By the single example of this painter devoted to his art with such independence, my destiny as a painter opened out to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/by-the-single-example-of-this-painter-devoted-to-his-art-with-such/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [It would be asking too much to want to sell only to connoisseurs - that way starvation lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-would-be-asking-too-much-to-want-to-sell-only-to-connoisseurs-that/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) [Explore all 185 Claude Monet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. 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This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've done what I could as a painter and that seems to me to be sufficient. 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