Bernini, one of the most accomplished sculptors of his time commented that his work Ecstasy of St. Theresa was one of his "less terrible" works, or something to that affect. Needless to say many rank him amongst the most skilled of the period artists in his ability to carve a moving figure from stone. However it's absolutely jawdropping to realize how humbly he views himself despite his well known prodigy and his favorite status by the Pope.
In a way if you are a "good" artist you tend to devalue yourself more often than not, striving for improvement and an unattainable goal. You usually see little beauty or just ENOUGH beauty in your art to keep going, but never enough to say "you're done".
Leonardo was one who never was satisfied with his work, and was a perfectionist who rarely had a collection of finished paintings and instead endlessly studied anatomy and science in his sketchbooks.
I personally am NEVER happy with my work for a long time and strive hard to learn more. What I personally would love to know however, is how some people who draw far less successfully than say the masters have a much stronger ego than any of them. I think having a thick skin would be useful in such a case as artists as a whole could be much more prolific if they had a belief that their art is worthwhile and valuable.
Also art in the 15-16th century served a much more practical and straightforward role than today's. There was a time a painting, any painting could never be purchased, commissioned, or even viewed by a commoner. And that art actually had a real need and value.
Art has been devalued since then, so perhaps now more than ever artists NEED that thick skin and a genuine belief that hard work will reap benefits.
Long story short, it's easy to give up and throw in the towel. People do it all the time. But it is a rarity to be persistent and build nerves of steel needed to triumph personal demons.
One reason I don't drink is that I want to know when I am having a good time. -Nancy Astor
