Meaning: The quote "A painter must think of everything he sees as being there entirely for his own use and pleasure" by Lucian Freud, offers a profound insight into the mindset of an artist and the way they perceive the world around them. Lucian Freud, a renowned British painter, known for his figurative and psychologically penetrating portraits, provides a glimpse into the intense and personal relationship that artists have with their surroundings and how it influences their work.

For a painter, the act of seeing goes beyond mere observation; it becomes a process of engagement and interpretation. Every object, every scene, and every person becomes a potential subject for the artist's work. This quote suggests that a painter must possess a sense of ownership over their surroundings, not in a possessive or materialistic sense, but in the way that they internalize and assimilate what they see into their creative vision. The world becomes a vast reservoir of inspiration and raw material for the artist to mold and manipulate according to their own sensibilities.

Freud's emphasis on "everything he sees" implies an all-encompassing approach to perception. It's not just the grand or picturesque that captures the artist's attention; rather, it's the mundane, the overlooked, and the ordinary that also hold significance. This speaks to the artist's ability to find beauty and meaning in the most unexpected places, and to imbue their work with a sense of depth and richness that transcends the superficial.

The idea of "being there entirely for his own use and pleasure" reflects the intensely personal nature of the artist's relationship with their subjects. While the artist may draw from external sources, the act of creation is a deeply individual and subjective process. The artist takes liberties with what they see, reshaping and reinterpreting it through the lens of their own emotions, experiences, and imagination. In this way, the artist's work becomes a reflection of their inner world, a manifestation of their desires, fears, and aspirations.

Furthermore, the notion of "use and pleasure" suggests that the artist's engagement with their surroundings is not solely utilitarian. It's not just about capturing a likeness or documenting a scene; it's about finding joy and fulfillment in the act of creation itself. The artist's work is an expression of their passion and their unique way of engaging with the world. It's a process of self-discovery and self-expression, driven by the artist's own desires and inclinations.

In conclusion, Lucian Freud's quote offers a compelling perspective on the artist's relationship with the world. It highlights the artist's ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, and to find personal fulfillment in the act of creation. It speaks to the deeply intimate and subjective nature of art-making, and the profound impact that the artist's surroundings have on their work. Ultimately, it invites us to consider the world through the eyes of an artist, and to appreciate the depth and complexity that they bring to their interpretations of reality.