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For my taste, sculpture should have as little movement as possible. It should not fall, and gesture, and grimace, and if one depicts movement, grimaces come too easily. Rodin himself remains quiet; he puts movement into his rendering of muscles, but the whole remains quiet and calm.

— Aristide Maillol Conversations with Judith Cladel (1939)

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More quotes by Aristide Maillol

My sculpture is altogether different from Rodin’s.. ..In sculpture he [Rodin] always sees the flesh first. [answering his critics]

A [figure] interests me when I can bring architecture out of it.

He [ Renoir; Maillol made his bust] was very interested, watching me do his bust. He said to me: 'Every time you touch it, it becomes more alive.'

I seek beauty, not character. For me portraiture and statuary are completely opposed to each other.

Mademoiselle, I am told that you look like a Renoir and Maillol [as a model]. I would be happy with a Renoir.

his letter (1939)

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