Art Quote by Leonardo da Vinci
“Do not imitate one another's style. If you do, so far as your art is concerned you will be called a grandson, rather than the son of Nature.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to a fellow artist, 1508
Imitating others leads to derivative work; true art should arise from nature, not copying.
In simple terms: Avoid copying; create original work.
Seek originality, not imitation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- art schools
- design studios
- personal projects
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance influence and originality?
- What defines a 'son of Nature' in art?
Some influence is inevitable and can be instructive.