Art Quote by Walter Isaacson
““he never finished any of the works he began because, so sublime was his idea of art, he saw faults even in the things that to others seemed miracles.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lives of the Artists (Life of Leonardo) by Giorgio Vasari, 1568
The artist pursued an ideal of art so high that he perceived flaws where everyone else saw miracles. As a result, he constantly abandoned projects, unable to reconcile reality with his vision.
In simple terms: Perfectionism made him abandon work others found remarkable.
Key Takeaway
Perfection can be the enemy of completion.
Themes
perfectionism
artistic vision
creativity
self-criticism
ambition
Mood
admiring
melancholic
reflective
Type
biographical
critical
When to use this quote
- creative projects
- meeting deadlines
- accepting completed work
- critiquing one's own output
- leadership expectations
Key Concepts
ideal versus real
creative process
quality standards
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your standard of finished differ from others'?
- What would you complete if you accepted imperfection?
A Different Perspective
Relentless self-criticism can hinder output, but the same exacting eye often produces the quality that later earns applause.
