More quotes by Henri Matisse

"I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some kind of a Buddhist. But the essential thing is to put oneself in a frame of mind which is close to that of prayer."
"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."
"Drawing is like making an expressive gesture with the advantage of permanence."
"He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and nothing holds him back."
"Impressionism is the newspaper of the soul."