· Inspiring Growth, one artwork at a time ·
By Julia de Schultz, June 24, 2025
Some people don’t just make history—they shape how we see the world. Their words stay with us. They challenge us. They comfort us in hard times and call us to rise in better ones.
At Ray of Light Prints, we believe in bringing the wisdom of great thinkers in art into daily life—not just to decorate, but to inspire. Each print is a conversation starter, a quiet reminder of something meaningful. Something timeless.
This article is a tribute to some of the greatest minds ever to walk this Earth—individuals whose insights still ripple through our lives and whose voices shape our collection.
Some minds don’t just make discoveries—they shift the way we see the world. In our collection, we honour great thinkers in art whose insights continue to resonate across time and space.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
Einstein wasn’t just a scientist. He was a poet of the cosmos. His theories reshaped physics, yes—but it’s his way of seeing the world that I find so moving.
Einstein reminds us that science and wonder aren’t opposites—they’re soulmates. He’s one of the great thinkers in art whose influence transcends disciplines.
We featured him in our Evolution of the Universe print for exactly that reason. He reminds us that even in all our complexity, we are part of something vast, beautiful, and mysterious.
I’ve always felt a deep affinity for Einstein—not just because he was brilliant, but because he remained soft. Imaginative. Curious. There’s something powerful in that blend of intelligence and humility. His words help us zoom out—and remember that just being here is a kind of miracle.
You can dive deeper into his life and legacy through his official Nobel Prize biography.
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
This quote always stops me in my tracks. There’s something so freeing—and so hard—about surrendering who we think we are.
Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese sage, believed that life flows best when we stop trying to control it. That letting go isn’t weakness, but wisdom.
In a world obsessed with doing, improving, striving—his message feels like an exhale. A return to ourselves. In our more introspective designs, we’ve tried to honour that stillness. That sense that you’re already whole, even as you change.
Much of what we know about Lao Tzu comes from the Tao Te Ching—a short, poetic book filled with paradoxes and quiet truths. It’s not always easy to understand. But that’s kind of the point. It asks us to step out of our heads and into something deeper—something felt more than analysed.
If you’re curious to explore it yourself, you can read one of the classic translations here.
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”
Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize—and the only person ever to win in two different scientific fields. But beyond her incredible intellect was a quiet, radical belief: that fear fades when we begin to understand.
That message runs through the spirit of our Elements of the World print—not in exact words, but in its invitation to look closer, ask questions, and embrace the mystery of what we’re made of.
Still, I’ve come to believe there’s a balance. Some things can be understood—and that brings clarity, power, and peace. But other things—especially the deeper questions of life—might always stay just beyond our grasp.
That’s where faith comes in. Curiosity and faith don’t have to contradict each other. Sometimes they walk hand in hand. One helps us explore the world. The other helps us trust it.
Marie Curie reminds us that wisdom isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about the courage to seek—and the grace to not always need all the answers.
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Marcus Aurelius was an emperor, but his legacy is more personal than political. His writings—private thoughts, never meant for publication—feel oddly modern. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone. He was trying to stay grounded.
Those writings became known as Meditations—a collection of short reflections on life, character, and clarity. It’s one of those rare books that feels just as relevant now as it did nearly two thousand years ago. You can browse a free copy here.
I turn to his words when life feels chaotic. When I need reminding that my peace doesn’t come from the world behaving, but from my response to it.
His voice will show up more in future pieces that explore resilience and mindset—quiet strength, not bravado. Because sometimes, the real battle is internal.
“People will forget what you said… but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Some quotes are so true that they don’t need explaining. Maya Angelou knew how to reach into people’s hearts and hold them there, with honesty, grace, and fierce dignity.
Angelou’s presence in our collection represents the emotional depth that great thinkers in art can bring, not just knowledge, but connection. Her words go beyond intellect. They carry lived experience, compassion, and truth.
That’s what we try to do, a quiet shift in perspective. The wisdom may sit in the background, but it’s always there, anchoring the emotion and making it last.
If you’re curious about the heart behind our work, you can read more about us here.
Maya Angelou reminds us that the most powerful messages often live between the lines, in how we love, lead, listen, and how we make others feel. That’s the kind of resonance we hope to carry forward with every piece we create.
“We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.”
I get goosebumps every time I hear this one.
Carl Sagan had this rare gift—he made science feel like poetry. He spoke of the stars not just with awe, but with intimacy. Like we belonged to them. Like they belonged to us.
We haven’t directly quoted him in our prints (yet), but his way of thinking deeply influenced our Evolution of the Universe and Elements of the World pieces. That feeling of being part of something vast and interconnected—that’s exactly what we want people to experience when they see those prints.
It’s not just about astronomy—it’s about identity. You’re not separate from the universe. You are the universe, looking back at itself.
It’s a beautiful, humbling idea. One that grounds you while lifting you up. And one that reminds us: learning isn’t just about understanding—it’s about belonging.
“When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.”
Herophilus was a physician in ancient Greece, and even though he’s not a household name, his words hit hard.
We included this quote in our Human Body Systems print because it says what we all instinctively know: everything starts with health. Without it, even our greatest gifts—our creativity, intellect, ambition—lose their footing.
His words remind me to honour the body. To care for it, not just because I want to “feel good,” but because it’s the foundation for everything else I want to give and create.
There are so many voices I’d love to feature in full, and these are just a few of the brilliant minds we’re hoping to spotlight in future collections:
Each of them brings a different dimension to the idea of wisdom—some poetic, some scientific, some spiritual. And each one adds a texture we’d love to explore more deeply in upcoming works.
These additional great thinkers in art might not yet be on our walls, but they’re definitely in our hearts—and on our list.
We live in a time of noise—scrolling, notifications, endless input. But what if, instead of more information, we gave ourselves more reminders?
That’s what our prints are meant to be. Not just something pretty to look at, but something meaningful to live with. Words that shift your mindset, centre your day, or just make you pause for a moment.
The thinkers featured in our art aren’t distant icons—they’re companions. And their ideas aren’t stuck in the past—they’re still speaking, right now, if we’re willing to listen.
🖼️ Take a look through our full collection.
You might just find the exact words you didn’t know you needed.
Ray of Light Prints creates large inspirational wall art designed to spark curiosity, deliver meaningful knowledge, and fill your space with wonder.
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