Artist Quote by Leonardo da Vinci
““If the painter has clumsy hands, he will be apt to introduce them into his works, and so of any other part of his person, which may not happen to be so beautiful as it ought to be. He must, therefore, guard particularly against that self-love, or too good opinion of his own person, and study by every means to acquire the knowledge of what is most beautiful, and of his own defects, that he may adopt the one and avoid the other.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: Treatise on Painting, c. 1500
Artists must avoid letting personal ego or self‑praise distort their work, instead seeking true beauty and recognizing personal flaws.
In simple terms: Avoid ego, seek true beauty, know your flaws.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and self‑awareness.
Themes
humility
self‑awareness
artistry
beauty
self‑criticism
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- painting
- creative process
- personal development
- teaching art
Key Concepts
ego
aesthetic judgment
self‑knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you identify your artistic blind spots?
- What practices help you stay humble in creative work?
A Different Perspective
Ego can blind perception and lead to overconfidence in skill.
