--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who's going to ask a painter to see a…" description: "\"Who's going to ask a painter to see a diploma? They'd say, 'Can I see your paintings?', wouldn't they?\" — David Hockney" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/david-hockney-1395_artist_who-s-going-to-ask-a-painter-to-see-a-di_1427173.png" --- # Who's going to ask a painter to see a diploma? They'd say… ![“Who's going to ask a painter to see a diploma? They'd say, 'Can I see your paintings?', wouldn't they?” quote by David Hockney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/david-hockney-1395_artist_who-s-going-to-ask-a-painter-to-see-a-di_1427173.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/david-hockney-1395_artist_who-s-going-to-ask-a-painter-to-see-a-di_1427173.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/david-hockney-1395_artist_who-s-going-to-ask-a-painter-to-see-a-di_1427173.png) > “Who's going to ask a painter to see a diploma? They'd say, 'Can I see your paintings?', wouldn't they?” [David Hockney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hockney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He questions the relevance of formal qualifications for artistic skill, emphasizing work over diplomas. **In simple terms:** Art is judged by work, not certificates. Key Takeaway Value skill over credentials. Themes art education credentials Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - gallery exhibitions - artist résumés - art school admissions - client commissions Key Concepts meritocracy authenticity Questions to Reflect On - Should art be judged without credentials? - What role do diplomas play in creative fields? A Different Perspective Certificates can still influence opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Ask Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-painter-3658673/) [Diploma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diploma/) [Diploma Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diploma-say-5071008/) [Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going/) [Graduation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graduation/) [I see](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-see/) [Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter/) [Painter Diploma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter-diploma-5071006/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Paintings Wouldn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paintings-wouldn-5071007/) [Say Paintings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-paintings-498967/) [See](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/see/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [If one were to ask a painter what he felt about anything, his just response - though he seldom makes it - would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-motherwell/if-one-were-to-ask-a-painter-what-he-felt-about-anything-his-just/) [Robert Motherwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-motherwell/) > [I can say that paintings are prayers, they have to do with anything that makes you wish for more that what everyday life provides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rothenberg/i-can-say-that-paintings-are-prayers-they-have-to-do-with-anything/) [Susan Rothenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rothenberg/) > [“Men who want nothing more than to show you their big huge-" She made a noise of half laughter, half disgust and shoved him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-grey/men-who-want-nothing-more-than-to-show-you-their-big-huge-she-made-a/) [Jeanette Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-grey/) > [The one thing I learned is not to say anything about my own paintings. 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