--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To paint things as they are requires a…" description: "\"To paint things as they are requires a minute attention, and employs the memory rather than the fancy.\" — Samuel Johnson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/samuel-johnson-50_artist_to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-m_647987.png" --- # To paint things as they are requires a minute attention… ![“To paint things as they are requires a minute attention, and employs the memory rather than the fancy.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/samuel-johnson-50_artist_to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-m_647987.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/samuel-johnson-50_artist_to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-m_647987.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/samuel-johnson-50_artist_to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-m_647987.png) > “To paint things as they are requires a minute attention, and employs the memory rather than the fancy.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Accurate representation demands careful observation and memory, not imagination. **In simple terms:** Observe and remember, not imagine. Key Takeaway Focus on detail in work. Themes observation memory accuracy Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - painting - journalism - scientific reporting Key Concepts realism attention to detail Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance observation and imagination? - When is imagination more valuable than strict accuracy? A Different Perspective Imagination can also reveal truths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Employs Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employs-memory-5188565/) [Fancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fancy/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Memory Fancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory-fancy-5188567/) [Minute Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minute-attention-5188566/) [Minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minutes/) [Paint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paint/) [Paint Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paint-things-443760/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) ## Related quotes > [It was so simple to paint things as I saw them; to put without special calculation a red close to a blue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gauguin/it-was-so-simple-to-paint-things-as-i-saw-them-to-put-without-special/) [Paul Gauguin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gauguin/) > [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/) > [“You’re trying to paint things as either black or white,” he said. “As either good or evil. It’s never that neat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-chamberlain/you-re-trying-to-paint-things-as-either-black-or-white-he-said-as/) [Diane Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-chamberlain/) > [I paint things as they are. I don't comment. I record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-de-toulouse-lautrec/i-paint-things-as-they-are-i-don-t-comment-i-record/) [Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-de-toulouse-lautrec/) > [I photograph the things that I do not wish to paint, the things which already have an existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/man-ray/i-photograph-the-things-that-i-do-not-wish-to-paint-the-things-which/) [Man Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/man-ray/) > [I play music, I paint - these things come from your depths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lurie/i-play-music-i-paint-these-things-come-from-your-depths/) [John Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lurie/) > [My rule was not to paint things as they were. I wasn't copying; I was remaking them as my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claes-oldenburg/my-rule-was-not-to-paint-things-as-they-were-i-wasn-t-copying-i-was/) [Claes Oldenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claes-oldenburg/) > [I said, I don't want to paint things like Picasso's women and Matisse's odalisques lying on couches with pillows. I don't want to paint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellsworth-kelly/i-said-i-don-t-want-to-paint-things-like-picasso-s-women-and-matisse/) [Ellsworth Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellsworth-kelly/) > [When I paint, some things come out, and I don't know. Maybe it's because I have such talent as a painter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yayoi-kusama/when-i-paint-some-things-come-out-and-i-don-t-know-maybe-it-s-because/) [Yayoi Kusama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yayoi-kusama/) > [I paint what cannot be photographed, something from the imagination... I photograph the things I don't want to paint, things that are already in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/man-ray/i-paint-what-cannot-be-photographed-something-from-the-imagination-i/) [Man Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/man-ray/) > [When I was a kid, I suppose I got more praise for being able to draw things and paint things than I did for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-kooser/when-i-was-a-kid-i-suppose-i-got-more-praise-for-being-able-to-draw/) [Ted Kooser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-kooser/) > [I paint things as they are. I don't comment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-de-toulouse-lautrec/i-paint-things-as-they-are-i-don-t-comment/) [Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-de-toulouse-lautrec/) > [When you paint things exactly as they are, you don't show people anything that they couldn't see for themselves; you're telling them what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-strisik/when-you-paint-things-exactly-as-they-are-you-don-t-show-people/) [Paul Strisik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-strisik/) > [I paint not the things I see but the feelings they arouse in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kline/i-paint-not-the-things-i-see-but-the-feelings-they-arouse-in-me/) [Franz Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kline/) > [The good painter must paint two things: a person and the essence of his soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-good-painter-must-paint-two-things-a-person-and-the-essence-of/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/resolve-not-to-be-poor-whatever-you-have-spend-less-poverty-is-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/words-are-daughters-of-earth-but-ideas-are-sons-of-heaven/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“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/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [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 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/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To paint things as they are requires a minute attention, and employs the memory rather than the fancy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-minute-attention-and-employs/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Artist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-minute-attention-and-employs/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/samuel-johnson-50_artist_to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-m_647987.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/samuel-johnson-50_artist_to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-m_647987.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/samuel-johnson-50_artist_to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-m_647987.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To paint things as they are requires a minute attention, and employs the memory rather than the fancy.” — Samuel Johnson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Samuel Johnson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To paint things as they are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-minute-attention-and-employs/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-paint-things-as-they-are-requires-a-minute-attention-and-employs/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```