The vast majority of English folk cannot and will not consider a picture as a picture, apart from any story which it may be supposed to tell

I can't tell you if genius is hereditary, because heaven has granted me no offspring

The rare few, who, early in life have rid themselves of the friendship of the many

Art happens no hovel is safe from it, no Prince may depend upon it, the vastest intelligence cannot bring it about, and puny efforts to make it universal end in quaint comedy, and coarse farce

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision