More quotes by Henri Matisse

"What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue."
"He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back."
"With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft."
"An artist must never be a prisoner. Prisoner? An artist should never be a prisoner of himself, prisoner of style, prisoner of reputation, prisoner of success, etc."
"Drawing is like making an expressive gesture with the advantage of permanence."