Art Quote by Sherwin B. Nuland
““Leonardo, with his profound knowledge of art, commenced various undertakings, many of which he never completed, because it appeared to him that the hand could never give due perfection to the object or purpose which he had in his thoughts, or beheld in his imagination - since in his mind he frequently formed some difficult conception, so subtle and so wonderful that no hands, however excellent or able, could ever give it expression””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Art of Medicine” by Sherwin B. Nuland, 1998
Leonardo’s relentless pursuit of perfection made many projects unfinished because his imagined ideals exceeded what hands could achieve.
In simple terms: Leonardo’s high standards left many works incomplete.
Key Takeaway
Accept that perfection is unattainable.
Themes
art
perfectionism
creativity
human limitation
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- artistic endeavors
- design processes
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
idealism
craftsmanship
mental models
Questions to Reflect On
- Can striving for perfection be balanced with practicality?
- When is “good enough” sufficient?
A Different Perspective
His perfectionism could hinder productivity and completion.
