16th-century Artist Quotes

Peter Paul Rubens

Paolo Veronese

Benvenuto Cellini

Nicholas Hilliard

How then can the curious drawer watch, and as it were catch these lovely graces, witty smilings, and those stolen glances which suddenly like lightning pass, and another countenance taketh place, except to behold and very well note and conceit to like.

Nicholas Hilliard

I paint my pictures with all the considerations which are natural to my intelligence, and according as my intelligence understands them.

[on the high seas] the English are increasing their insolence and barbarity. [T]hey cut to pieces the captain of a ship coming from Spain and threw all the crew into the sea for having defended themselves valiantly.

Peter Paul Rubens

There are few subjects where there exists greater diversity of opinions regarding practically everything than in paleontology.

Gommaert van der Gracht

One can pass on responsibility, but not the discretion that goes with it.

Benvenuto Cellini