Rembrandt: "Without atmosphere a painting is nothing!"

• "Life etches itself onto our faces as we grow older, showing our violence, excesses or kindnesses".

• "I envy the poet. He is encouraged toward drunkenness and wallows with nubile wenches while the painter must endure wretchedness and pain for his art".

• "But his faith is a faith that to him is real, and it is a faith, in my judgement, that sustained him through the hard times in his life".

• "For in these two paintings the greatest and most natural movement has been expressed, which is also the main reason why they have taken so long to execute".

• "Of course you will say that I ought to be practical and ought to try and paint the way they want me to paint. Well, I will tell you a secret. I have tried and I have tried very hard, but I can't do it. I just can't do it! And that is why I am just a little crazy".

• "Try to put well in practice what you already know; and in so doing, you will in good time, discover the hidden things which you now inquire about. Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know. By following carefully the rules of teachings provided that they are truthful, you can save a lot of time. But a student full of doubt is unable to move forwards and to judge well the truth".