"They are studies that I intend to utilise in a large picture I am preparing." "Come, no humbug, are you really the author of those things ?" "Eh! Yes.

Why should I not be the author of them ?" The painter did not like to answer what he thought, which was as follows: "Because those canvases are the work of an artist, and you have never been anything but a vile bungler." For a long time, he remained before the studies in silence.

Certainly they were clumsy, but they were original, and so powerfully executed that they indicated a highly developed idea of art.

They were life-like.
Never had this friend of Laurent seen rough painting so full of high promise.

When he had examined all the canvases, he turned to the author of them and said: "Well, frankly, I should never have thought you capable of painting like that.