"For a month I have been unable to paint because I lack the colours. That's not important. Right now it's my wife's life in jeopardy that terrifies me. It is unbearable to see her suffer."

"My life has been nothing but a failure, and all that's left for me to do is to destroy my paintings before I disappear."

"More than ever despite my poor sight, I need to paint and paint unceasingly."

"These landscapes of water and reflection have become an obsession for me. It is beyond my strength as an old man, and yet I want to render what I feel."

"No, I'm not a great painter. Neither am I a great poet."