"Copy nature and you infringe on the work of our Lord. Interpret nature and you are an artist"
- Jacques Lipchitz
About this Quote
This quote by Jacques Lipchitz speaks with the concept that art is not just a matter of copying what is seen in nature, however rather translating it in an imaginative method. Lipchitz is suggesting that when we copy nature, we are taking away from the work of God, as He is the one who created it. However, when we interpret nature, we are developing something new and unique, and therefore becoming an artist. This quote encourages us to take a look at nature in a new method, to think outside the box and to create something that is genuinely our own. It also advises us that art is not just about copying what is currently there, however about finding new methods to reveal our own imagination. By interpreting nature, we can create something that is really unique and that reflects our own private design.
"I was married to Margaret Joan Howe in 1940. Although not a scientist herself she has contributed more to my work than anyone else by providing a peaceful and happy home"