Charley Toorop

“In particular, no principles - working - and purifying our own views. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”

“..a painted or drawn portrait should look more alike than a photo. A photo only presents the moment itself, but in a well-painted portrait you can recognize somebody in all his expressions. Every day you have to be able to see something else in it. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”

“The new artist-society will consist of painters, sculptors and architects. The founders don’t intend that the character of the union will be determined by one single art movement. They believe that there is room for every important expression of this period and they intend the new union as a gathering place for the best young artists, who will collectively determine the character of the society. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”

“Later, when F. [Henk Fernhout, her former husband, until c. 1916-17; he was an alcoholic] was more and more from home, I painted more and more, [I built] my own individual life - also saving my nerves (which were broken for a long time already). (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”

“You [Plasschaert] wrote about the third dimension in the [magazine] 'De Groene' - that I was searching for to learn. That's the way it is, but of course it is not 'from the theory of the third dimension'. But it is trying to give life its 'full' shape - to see God in all matter - expressed in any way. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”

“It is always the same: a struggle between making love and working. Together, that is almost impossible - at least for me; struggle between being a woman and creating art. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”

“The simple natural form doesn't exist for the new artist; there is only a expressive one.. .But is is more difficult to see the natural in images than to listen to only abstract impressions. To be part of the cosmic means to include the recognition of the natural element that leads to seeing in a spirited way. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”

“Do you remember how beautiful it was, and that silly Mondrian and those silly Buddha positions right in the middle at the beach [of Domburg, Zeeland, in 1906] (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)”