Abstract art Quote by Edward B. Burger
““There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality. —Pablo Picasso””
About This Quote
Picasso argued that art must originate from a concrete reference, even if the final work becomes completely abstract.
In simple terms: All abstract art begins with something real.
Key Takeaway
Abstraction is a transformation, not a creation from nothing.
Themes
art theory
creativity
abstraction
Mood
inquisitive
reflective
Type
artistic statement
philosophical observation
When to use this quote
- design brainstorming
- conceptual painting
- digital mock‑up revisions
Key Concepts
process of reduction
perception
Practical Applications
- start with a reference photo before abstracting
- use iterative removal to refine ideas
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to 'remove all traces of reality'?
- Can a piece be truly abstract if its origin is hidden?
A Different Perspective
Some avant‑garde works claim pure invention without any source, challenging the premise.
![“[Pablo] Picasso really changed my life. It's strange to say so, but I started to see some Picasso paintings very early. I was very young, and he was not so much known.” quote by Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/470/agnes-varda-3815_changed_pablo-picasso-really-changed-my-life-it_1528213.jpg)
![“[Pablo] Picasso was born in my hometown, in Málaga, so I have this of strange connection with his persona and with what he did. He left Málaga, practically at the same time and age that I did.” quote by Antonio Banderas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/464/antonio-banderas-4332_age_pablo-picasso-was-born-in-my-hometown-in_1052014.jpg)
