"The light falls so unfavorably on the altar that one can hardly discern the figures or enjoy the beauty of color and …"

"I should not base it [ the mural-painting 'Madonna della Vallicella' Rubens painted c. 1607] on the estimate of Rome …"

"I have not yet made up my mind whether to remain in my own country Flanders or to return forever to Rome.. ..[I have …"

"[those paintings that are] done entirely by my hand.. ..[those,]done by the hand of a master skillfull in that depart…"

"I have heard that you have found the secret of engraving on copper on white ground, as Elsheimer did. To bite the pla…"

"[on the high seas] the English are increasing their insolence and barbarity. [T]hey cut to pieces the captain of a sh…"

"[I] decided to force myself to cut this golden knot of ambition [to portray the nobility any longer] in order to reco…"

"I have neither time to live nor to write. I am therefore cheating my art by stealing a few evening hours to write thi…"

"I am by nature and inclination a peaceful man, the sworn enemy to disputes, lawsuits and quarrels both public and pri…"

"I was not yet inclined to live the life of a celibate.. ..I have taken a young wife of honest but middle-class family…"