Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (5 or 6 August 1882) ... and had to be replaced by a stronger one.
I bought a pair of strong and warm trousers, and as I had
bought a pair of strong shoes just before you came, I am now
prepared to weather the storm and rain. It is my decided aim to
learn from this painting of landscape a few things about
technique which I feel I need for the figure,
namely to express different materials, and the
tone and the colour. In one word, to express the
bulk - the body - of things. Through your coming it became
possible to me, but before you came there was not a day when I
did not think in this way about it, only I should have had to
keep exclusively to black and white and to the outline a little
longer. - But now I have launched my boat. Adieu, boy,
once more, a hearty handshake and believe me,
Yours, Vincent
...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (17 August 1883) ... matter when
you left, I'll drop it.
Indeed, I am thinking of what you said and of what I wrote
you about my clothes; I am not reluctant, and think you are
perfectly right when you say that if I ever went to see
Herkomer, or others, they would notice my appearance - but I
know that myself without your saying so. Further, what you said
about Father - now there has been occasion to write more often
to him than usual, and you will read the letter yourself. And
so it is with everything. In short, when I give an opinion
about persons, circumstances, a society in which I do not move,
you may understand that I do not always speak justly, but let
my imagination roam without regard to reality, and that I see
things in a very fantastic way, just as things may appear
strange when seen against the light.
You who are nearer to them do not understand how it is
possible for them to appear this way, seen it at a distance and
from behind. And even if I should see things quite incorrectly,
...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (20 or 21 August 1883) ... it puts me out rather than helps
me.
As for my clothes, dear brother, I put on what was given me,
without wanting more, without asking for more. I have worn
clothes I got from Father and from you, which sometimes do not
fit me the way they ought to because of the difference in our
sizes. If you will drop the matter of defects in my attire, I
shall remain content with what I have, and even be grateful for
little, though of course later I hope to remind you of it and
say, “Theo, do you remember the time when I walked about
in a long clergyman's coat of Father's?” etc. It seems to
me that it is infinitely better to take things as they are
now, and laugh over them later, when we have made our
way, rather than quarrel about them now.
For the moment I have the suit you brought for me to wear
when I go out, and more things that are still quite
presentable. But you must excuse my not putting them on in the
studio or when I work out-of-doors - it would be spoiling...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (c. 24 April 1888) ... there, like the series of orchards in bloom here.
Also, I have bought three strong linen shirts and two pairs of stout shoes with the idea of moving.
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (c. 3 May 1888) ... or not. Consequently there
is nothing urgent. But if it's all the same to you, send me 100
francs next time anyway, as I want to get some drawers made,
just as I have had the shirts and shoes, and must send almost
all my clothes to be cleaned and mended. Then they will be
quite all right again. This is urgent in case I have to go to
Marseilles or see people here. The more precautions we take
now, the surer we are of being able to hold out in the long
run, and of getting the work under control.
I have got ten canvases that I'm looking for a case for, and
I'll send them one of these days.
A handshake for you, and Koning too. I got a postcard from
Koning saying that he had had a letter telling him to take back
the pictures from the Independents' show. Naturally it was the
only thing to do, and what could I do about it?
Ever yours, Vincent
...
