It may be that the deep necessity of art is the examination of self-deception.

Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it.

Wherever art appears, life disappears.

Most painting in the European tradition was painting the mask. Modern art rejected all that. Our subject matter was the person behind the mask.

Let not soft slumber close your eyes, Before you've collected thrice The train of action through the day! Where have my feet chose out their way? What have I learnt, where'er I've been, From all I've heard, from all I've seen? What have I more that's worth the knowing? What have I done that's worth the doing? What have I sought that I should shun? What duty have I left undone, Or into what new follies run? These self-inquiries are the road That lead to virtue and to God.

You should examine yourself daily. If you find faults, you should correct them. When you find none, you should try even harder.