Frédéric Bazille quotes

Monet has popped up out of nowhere with a collection of magnificent canvases... With Renoir, that makes two hard-up painters I am putting up. It's quite an infirmary here. (Frédéric Bazille)
I've extended my hospitality to one of my friends, a former student of Gleyre's, who lacks a studio at the moment. Renoir, that's his name, is a real worker, he takes advantage of my models and helps me pay for them.
Frédéric Bazille
I have started a large landscape which is beginning to take shape.
Frédéric Bazille
The subject matter is unimportant, provided what I have done is interesting as a painting. I chose the modern era because it is the one I understand best; I find it more alive for people who are alive.
Frédéric Bazille
Finally.... I will have finished the paintings for my uncle. I have completely reworked them since my last letter [to his mother, 5 May 1865]; originally I had included a mass of details, which, from the distance they were intended to be viewed, had a very bad effect. I have worked at breakneck speed for two weeks, and now I am rather pleased, at least with one of them.
Frédéric Bazille
[ Monet is].. hard at work for some time now. His paintings has really progressed, I'm sure it will attract a lot of attention. He has sold thousands of franc's worth of paintings in the last few days, and has one or two other small commissions. He's definitely on his way.
Frédéric Bazille
Certain parts of the forest [the forest Bas Bréau, near Barbizon ] are truly wonderful. We can't even imagine such oak trees in Montpellier.
Frédéric Bazille
I do hope, that if I ever do anything, at least to have the merit of not copying anyone.
Frédéric Bazille
I have no intention of being killed, there's too much I still want to do with my life.
Frédéric Bazille
This country [landscape around Honfleur, where Bazille was painting with Monet, circa 1864] is paradise. Nowhere could you find more lush fields with more beautiful trees. Cows and horses roam freely everywhere.
Frédéric Bazille
It is really too ridiculous for a reasonably intelligent person to expose himself to this kind of administrative caprice. (Frédéric Bazille)
The big classical compositions are finished; an ordinary view of daily life would be much more interesting.
Frédéric Bazille
Don't worry! I bring to it all the necessary objectivity, don't be alarmed.... dirty machinists, very dumb musicians, a very old [choreographer] Monsieur Auber, and everyone only thinks about getting her job done as quickly as possible to earn a living.
Frédéric Bazille
I have almost finished a large landscape.
Frédéric Bazille