It is very good to copy what one sees; it is much better to… - Edgar Degas

" "
It is very good to copy what one sees; it is much better to draw what you can't see any more but is in your memory. It is a transformation in which imagination and memory work together. You only reproduce what struck you, that is to say the necessary.

Edgar Degas

Sources available for members. Sign up free to see where this quote comes from

English

Collect this quote

About Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas (19 July 1834 – 27 September 1917), was a French painter, print-maker and sculptor. He was moreover an active organizer of several Impressionist exhibitions, but never painted 'plain air' himself.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Hilaire Germain Edgar de Gas • Ėdgar Dega • Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas • Edgar Dega • Hilarie Germain Edgar Degas • H. G. E. Degas • E. Degas • Hilaire Germain Degas • hilaire germain edgar degas • Te-chia • degas edgar • Edgar Hilaire Germain Degas • h.g.e. degas • edgar hilaire germain degas • h.e.g. degas • Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas • hilaire degas • Jilaira Germain Edgar Degas • hilaire german edgar degas • Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas • Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas • jilaire germain edgar degas degas • Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas Degas • degas e. • degas h.g.e. • hilaire germaine edgar degas • Degas • e. degas • Hillaire germaine edgar degas • Hilaire Germain Edgar De Gas • edgar hillaire germaine degas • Edgar (Hilaire Germain) Degas

All quotes from Edgar Degas Similar Quotes by other Originators

Shorter versions of this quote

It is all well and good to copy what one sees, but it is much better to draw only what remains in one's memory. This is a transformation in which imagination and memory collaborate.

Originators like Edgar Degas:

Pablo Picasso Paul Gauguin Henri Matisse Marcel Duchamp Paul Klee

Additional quotes by Edgar Degas

I assure you no art was ever less spontaneous than mine. What I do is the result of reflection and study of the great masters; of inspiration, spontaneity, temperament — temperament is the word — I know nothing.

It is all well and good to copy what one sees, but it is much better to draw only what remains in one's memory. This is a transformation in which imagination and memory collaborate.

You need the natural life; I, the artificial.

It is very good to copy what one sees; it is much better to draw what you can't see any more but is in your memory. It is a transformation in which i… - Edgar Degas

About Edgar Degas

Also Known As

Enhance Your Quote Experience

Shorter versions of this quote

Additional quotes by Edgar Degas

Go Premium