John Sloan Quotes

1871–1951 United States

John French Sloan (August 2, 1871 – September 7, 1951) was an influential U.S. painter and teacher, and a leading member of a group of American artists known as The Eight. He is commonly associated with the Ashcan School of realist artists.

United States
Painters

Random John Sloan quote

7 quotes

It takes a great deal of strong personality to survive the art school training. Hard nuts that the art schools can't crack and devour get through and become artists.

The Gist of Art (1939)

I have nothing to teach you that will help you to make a living. [as art teacher, advising his students]

The idea of taking up art as a calling, a profession, is a mirage. Art enriches life. It makes life worth living. But to make a living at it—that idea is incompatible with making art.

The Gist of Art (1939)

[choosing his scenes by:] ..night vigils at the back window.

The Gist of Art (1939)

[on w:Diego Rivera:] ..the one artist on this continent who is in the class of the old masters.

People who take things too literally don't get much of anything from my teaching. By never saying anything I mean, I say a great deal. I never mean anything I say under oath. I never mean exactly what I say. Not even this. You have to read between the words.

The Gist of Art (1939)

Then there is this idea that the world owes you a living. Here is a little thought about that. It isn't particularly logical but it makes my point. You were paid when you were born, with the privilege of living. Death is all that is coming to you. Life came to you when you were born.

The Gist of Art (1939)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: John Sloan (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.