Meaning: This quote by Edgar Degas, the renowned French artist, encapsulates the essence of artistic creation and the transformative power of memory and imagination in the process of drawing. Degas was a prominent figure in the Impressionist movement and is particularly celebrated for his paintings, drawings, and sculptures depicting the world of ballet dancers and everyday life in Paris. His insightful words shed light on the significance of moving beyond mere replication of visual stimuli to the realm of internalized perception and creative interpretation.

When Degas speaks of "copying what one sees," he is referring to the act of replicating a visual scene or object as it appears in front of the artist. This type of representation, while valuable in its own right, is limited in its ability to convey the depth and nuances of the subject. Degas then presents a contrasting notion – that it is "far better to draw what one now only sees in one's memory." Here, he emphasizes the importance of internalizing visual experiences and translating them onto the canvas or paper from memory.

The act of drawing from memory requires a profound engagement with the subject matter. It involves not only the visual aspects of the scene but also the emotions, sensations, and perceptions associated with it. In this process, the artist's imagination collaborates with memory to recreate the essence of the subject, infusing it with personal interpretation and artistic expression. Degas recognizes this transformation as a profound merging of the internal and external worlds, where the artist's subjective experience interweaves with the objective reality.

Memory, in this context, becomes a reservoir of lived experiences and sensory impressions, serving as a wellspring for artistic creation. It allows the artist to transcend the limitations of direct observation and delve into the realm of personal recollection and interpretation. Through the act of drawing from memory, the artist has the opportunity to imbue the artwork with a deeper sense of meaning and emotional resonance, elevating it beyond a mere visual record of the external world.

Imagination, as Degas asserts, plays a pivotal role in this process. It is the catalyst that transforms raw memory into a creative expression. The artist's imagination acts as a filter through which memories are distilled, reshaped, and imbued with new perspective. It allows for the exploration of alternative interpretations and the infusion of personal vision into the artwork, resulting in a unique and subjective representation of the subject matter.

In essence, Degas' quote underscores the transformative power of the artist's inner world in the process of creating art. It urges artists to move beyond mere replication and embrace the collaborative interplay of memory and imagination. By drawing from memory, artists have the opportunity to infuse their work with personal depth, emotional resonance, and individual perspective, transcending mere visual representation to create art that is imbued with the essence of lived experience.

In conclusion, Edgar Degas' quote encapsulates the profound interplay between memory and imagination in the artistic process. It invites artists to move beyond mere replication of visual stimuli and delve into the transformative potential of drawing from memory. Through this process, artists have the opportunity to infuse their work with personal interpretation, emotional depth, and subjective vision, transcending the boundaries of direct observation to create art that resonates with the essence of lived experience. Degas' words serve as a timeless reminder of the significance of internalized perception and creative interpretation in the pursuit of artistic expression.