"His imagination was so powerful, that his hands were unable to execute the great and awesome ideas which were portrayed in his soul, so that he often abandoned or spoiled work he had started. I know, for example, that shortly before his death he burned many of the sketches, drafts and cartoons by his own hand so that no one would discover the efforts he had made and the difficulties against which he had pitted his talent, in order never to present himself other than perfect."