The attitude that nature is chaotic and that the artist puts order into it is a very absurd point of view, I think. All that we can hope for is to put some order into ourselves.

Certainly! Here’s an explanation of the quote with bolded keywords:

This quote by Willem de Kooning challenges the common attitude that nature is inherently chaotic and that the artist’s role is to impose order on it. De Kooning calls this perspective absurd, suggesting that nature itself is not disorderly in a negative sense. Instead, he believes that the true challenge lies in creating order within ourselves, rather than trying to control or structure the natural world.

The quote reflects a deeper philosophical view about the relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing introspection and internal balance. De Kooning implies that artists and individuals should focus on organizing their own thoughts, emotions, and perceptions to find harmony, rather than attempting to force external realities into neat patterns.

The origin of this quote comes from de Kooning’s experience as an abstract expressionist painter, where the tension between chaos and order is a central theme. His work often explored spontaneous, energetic forms that resist rigid structure, embodying his belief that true creativity arises from within.

Overall, the quote encourages a shift in perspective—from trying to control the external world to cultivating internal order and understanding, recognizing that self-mastery is a fundamental artistic and human pursuit.