Art Quote by Pablo Picasso
“When you begin a picture you often make some pretty discoveries. You must be on guard against these. Destroy the thing, do it over several times. In each destroying of a beautiful discovery, the artist does not really suppress it, but rather condenses it, makes it more substantial. What comes out in the end is the result of discarded finds. Otherwise you become your own connoisseur.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 1975 interview with Pablo Picasso
The artist advises repeatedly destroying and reworking creations, turning discarded ideas into stronger work.
In simple terms: Destroy and rebuild to improve art.
Embrace iteration and refinement.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- painting
- sculpture
- design projects
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance preservation and transformation?
- When is it time to discard a concept?
Over‑editing can erase original inspiration.