Art is a reality, not a definition; inasmuch as it approaches a reality, it approaches perfection, and inasmuch as it approaches a mere definition, it is imperfect and untrue.

Benjamin Haydon

Meeting of the Birmingham Political Union 1832/33

Benjamin Robert Haydon (26 January 1786 – 22 June 1846) was an English historical painter and writer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Haydon

When a man is no longer anxious to do better than well, he is done for.

Benjamin Haydon

 

Christs Entry into Jerusalem 1819

Benjamin Robert Haydon’s goal as a painter and writer was to reintroduce seriousness to British Art. His mission was to paint historical and religious subjects in the Grand Manner and to display them in order to educate the public. However, his tumultuous life was of far more interest than his paintings. He had spells of bankruptcy, imprisonment, and frustration and was also constantly struggling to earn the respect that only he thought he deserved. Also surpassing his paintings were his autobiographical writings that revealed information on the art scene of his time period and his unusual life and character. Haydon was associated with the Romantic movement, painting portraits of William Wordsworth and John Keats. He committed suicide in 1846.

http://wwar.com/masters/h/haydon-benjamin_robert.html