Anton Chekhov - Artist Quotes

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I would like to be a free artist and nothing else, and I regret God has not given me the strength to be one.

Anton Chekhov
He who desires nothing, hopes for nothing, and is afraid of nothing, cannot be an artist.

Anton Chekhov
Anyone who says the artist's field is all answers and no questions has never done any writing or had any dealings with imageryYou are confusing two concepts: answering the questions and formulating them correctly. Only the latter is required of an author.

Anton Chekhov
The person who wants nothing, hopes for nothing, and fears nothing can never be an artist.

Anton Chekhov
An artist must pass judgment only on what he understands; his range is limited as that of any other specialist—that's what I keep repeating and insisting upon. Anyone who says that the artist's field is all answers and no questions has never done any writing or had any dealings with imagery. An artist observes, selects, guesses and synthesizes.

Anton Chekhov
You are right to demand that an artist engage his work consciously, but you confuse two different things: solving the problem and correctly posing the question.

Anton Chekhov
You are right in demanding that an artist approach his work consciously, but you are confusing two concepts: the solution of a problem and the correct formulation of a problem. Only the second is required of the artist.

Anton Chekhov
The time has come for writers, especially those who are artists, to admit that in this world one cannot make anything out, just as Socrates once admitted it, just as Voltaire admitted it.

Anton Chekhov
My holy of holies is the human body, health, intelligence, talent, inspiration, love, and the most absolute freedom imaginable, freedom from violence and lies, no matter what form the latter two take. Such is the program I would adhere to if I were a major artist.

Anton Chekhov
I am not a liberal, not a conservative, not a believer in gradual progress, not a monk. I should like to be a free artist and nothing more.

Anton Chekhov
You confuse two things: solving a problem and stating a problem correctly. It is only the second that is obligatory for an artist.

Anton Chekhov