Leon Battista Alberti quotes

Leon Battista Alberti was an Italian Renaissance humanist, architect, and polymath. His writings and designs helped shape the ideals of Renaissance art and architecture. He made significant contributions to both theory and practice, influencing generations of artists and thinkers. Here are 9 of his quotes:

A common error of ignorance is to maintain that what one does not know does not exist. (Leon Battista Alberti)
The city is like a great house, and the house in its turn a small city. View quote
Leon Battista Alberti
When I investigate and when I discover that the forces of the heavens and the planets are within ourselves, then truly I seem to be living among the gods. View quote
Leon Battista Alberti
I will never tire of recommending the custom, practiced by the best architects, of preparing not only drawings and sketches, but also models of wood or any other material. These... enable us to examine... the work as a whole... and, before continuing any further, to estimate the likely trouble and expense. View quote
Leon Battista Alberti
Beauty: the adjustment of all parts proportionately so that one cannot add or subtract or change without impairing the harmony of the whole. View quote
Leon Battista Alberti
A man can do all things if he but wills them. View quote
Leon Battista Alberti
We must always take from nature what we paint and always choose the most beautiful things. View quote
Leon Battista Alberti
It was never shameful to learn from any teacher things that are useful to know. View quote
Leon Battista Alberti
Painting contains a divine force which... makes the dead seem almost alive. View quote
Leon Battista Alberti