A lesson from Giorgio Morandi

There are always many things to learn from great artists: their views, styles, attitudes, and so forth. I like Giorgio Morandi, an Italian painter (1890–1964) known for his still lifes of bottles, jars, and boxes. His seemingly simple compositions are painted with remarkable mastery. His earthy, muted, monochromatic palette feels so complete that it doesn’t require additional colours.

He said that painting is not about subject matter but about seeing deeply. What matters is not what you paint, but how you see—trusting your instincts and your own strengths, and “setting aside stylistic preconceptions.” It may sound easy to say, but it is not.

What truly matters is the relationship between forms and colours.

This idea is close to that of Clement Greenberg, an American art critic (1909–1994), who emphasized reducing painting to its essential language.

I also agree with Morandi’s core belief that painting should come from an authentic vision rather than style or trend. His quiet observation and way of transforming it prove that art can make something seemingly unimportant or overlooked feel meaningful.

Takeaway: Reduce, refine, and pursue mastery in whatever you do—with persistence and close observation.