van Gogh's letters - unabridged and annotated
 
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Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
Etten, May 1881
Relevant paintings:


"Hut," Vincent van Gogh
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"Barn with moss-grown roof," Vincent van Gogh
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"Landscape with windmill," Vincent van Gogh
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Dear Theo,

I enclose a little note because the others are writing to you and I thought you would like to hear what I am actually doing.

Every day that it does not rain, I go out in the fields, generally to the heath. I make my studies on a rather large scale, like the few you saw at the time of your visit; so I have done, among other things, a cottage on the heath, and also that barn with a thatched roof on the road to Roozendaal, which locally they call the Protestant barn.

You will perhaps remember what I mean.

Then the mill right opposite it, in the meadow, and the elm trees in the churchyard.

And another of woodcutters, busy on a wide patch of ground where a large pine tree has been cut down. I also try to draw the implements, such as a wagon, plough, harrow, wheelbarrow, etc., etc.

The one with the woodcutters turned out best of all, and I think you would like it.

I have had a letter from Rappard; perhaps he will come here some time this summer.

A handshake in thought, and believe me,

Yours sincerely, Vincent


At this time, Vincent was 28 year old
Source:
Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written May 1881 in Etten. Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, edited by Robert Harrison, number 145.
URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/10/145.htm.

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