--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A distinction is made between artists who…" description: "\"A distinction is made between artists who work directly from nature and those who work purely from imagination. Neither if these methods should be pref..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/henri-matisse-1641_art_a-distinction-is-made-between-artists-wh_833479.jpg" --- # A distinction is made between artists who work directly… ![“A distinction is made between artists who work directly from nature and those who work purely from imagination. Neither if these methods should be preferred to the exclusion of the other. Often both are used in turn by the same man...” quote by Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/henri-matisse-1641_art_a-distinction-is-made-between-artists-wh_833479.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/henri-matisse-1641_art_a-distinction-is-made-between-artists-wh_833479.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/henri-matisse-1641_art_a-distinction-is-made-between-artists-wh_833479.jpg) > “A distinction is made between artists who work directly from nature and those who work purely from imagination. Neither if these methods should be preferred to the exclusion of the other. Often both are used in turn by the same man...” [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists may draw from observation or imagination; both approaches have value and can be combined. **In simple terms:** Both observation and imagination are useful in art. Key Takeaway Balance observation and imagination in creative work. Themes creativity artistic method balance Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - painting - design - creative problem solving - teaching art Key Concepts Aesthetics imagination perception Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate observation and imagination? - When does one method serve a project better? A Different Perspective Preference for one method limits artistic growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artists Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artists-work-435441/) [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Distinction Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction-artists-579936/) [Exclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exclusion/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Imagination Methods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination-methods-579938/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Method](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/method/) [Methodology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/methodology/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Purely Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purely-imagination-579937/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) ## Related quotes > [The real truthfulness of all works of imagination, sculpture, painting, and written fiction, is so purely in the imagination, that the artist never seeks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-real-truthfulness-of-all-works-of-imagination-sculpture-painting/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In software, consultants sometimes tell you to buy into certain software-development methods to the exclusion of other methods. 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And my job is to come in and, you know, put - you know, I treat all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharrell-williams/i-m-a-producer-i-m-a-musician-and-my-job-is-to-come-in-and-you-know/) [Pharrell Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharrell-williams/) > [Artists should work together like the artists of the Middle Ages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-arp/artists-should-work-together-like-the-artists-of-the-middle-ages/) [Hans Arp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-arp/) > [ I have a feeling a lot of artists' work got lost \[because of AIDS\]. Howard was fortunate because his family and friends supported him,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-brookner/i-have-a-feeling-a-lot-of-artists-work-got-lost-because-of-aids/) [Aaron Brookner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-brookner/) > [I've always said I'm more influenced in what I do by artists, and how they work, how they think, and the freedom they're given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/i-ve-always-said-i-m-more-influenced-in-what-i-do-by-artists-and-how/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [You only have to talk to artists to see that they work according to rules, and that they know all too well that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-c-beiser/you-only-have-to-talk-to-artists-to-see-that-they-work-according-to/) [Frederick C. Beiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-c-beiser/) > [I think it's important for artists to work together. It's great for fans to see, like, Ludacris came out to our show in Atlanta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-aldean/i-think-it-s-important-for-artists-to-work-together-it-s-great-for/) [Jason Aldean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-aldean/) > [As artists, sometimes our work is chaotic; we don't easily communicate our needs to other people in a way that they understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalup-linzy/as-artists-sometimes-our-work-is-chaotic-we-don-t-easily-communicate/) [Kalup Linzy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalup-linzy/) ## More by Henri Matisse > [The wall around the window does not create two worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/the-wall-around-the-window-does-not-create-two-worlds/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [Arrival = Prison, and the artist must never be a prisoner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/arrival-prison-and-the-artist-must-never-be-a-prisoner/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [To arrive is to be in prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/to-arrive-is-to-be-in-prison/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [When I saw what a mess everything was in I asked for my money back on the ticket. I would have felt I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/when-i-saw-what-a-mess-everything-was-in-i-asked-for-my-money-back-on/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [A painting in an interior spreads joy around it by the colors, which calm us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/a-painting-in-an-interior-spreads-joy-around-it-by-the-colors-which/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [Color was not given to us in order that we should imitate Nature. It was given to us so that we can express our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/color-was-not-given-to-us-in-order-that-we-should-imitate-nature-it/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [If it is practiced by a man of taste, the photograph will have the appearance of art (but) the photographer must...intervene as little as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/if-it-is-practiced-by-a-man-of-taste-the-photograph-will-have-the/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have a light joyousness of springtime which never lets anyone suspect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/i-have-always-tried-to-hide-my-efforts-and-wished-my-works-to-have-a/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [The chief function of color should be to serve expression as well as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/the-chief-function-of-color-should-be-to-serve-expression-as-well-as/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [One gets into a state of creativity by conscious work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/one-gets-into-a-state-of-creativity-by-conscious-work/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [My pictures are made up of four or five colors that collide with one another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/my-pictures-are-made-up-of-four-or-five-colors-that-collide-with-one/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [What I dream of is an art of balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/what-i-dream-of-is-an-art-of-balance/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [...I am driven on by an idea that I really only grasp as it grows with the picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/i-am-driven-on-by-an-idea-that-i-really-only-grasp-as-it-grows-with/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/i-don-t-paint-things-i-only-paint-the-difference-between-things/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [After a half-century of hard work and reflection the wall is still there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/after-a-half-century-of-hard-work-and-reflection-the-wall-is-still/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) [Explore all 219 Henri Matisse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) ## More Art quotes > [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/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [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/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“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/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A distinction is made between artists who work directly from nature and those who work purely from imagination. 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