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| Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(c. 2 May 1883)
... - absolutely without a penny - for about a week. Besides,
all my drawing material was used up. I was negotiating with
Smulders about a lot of drawing paper and took it, though I
cannot really afford it right now; but I absolutely needed it,
together with other materials, for instance, the printer's ink
of the engravers, and lithographic crayon. And I had to pay for
several household things and to lay in provisions. And had to
pay the models, whom I had had meanwhile, in order to be able
to work on.
I am very, very sorry I have to ask for it, but if there is
the slightest possibility, send me another 10 francs. A week's
work depends on it, for I cannot expect an answer from Rappard
right away. I am already hard up, and have made arrangements
with models. After Rappard sends me the money, the time will
come when things will run smoothly again. If you can send it,
this week will pass without a hitch; if not, the damage will be
unpleasant. But do not be angry with me; it was a combination
... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(c. 20 May 1883)
... I absolutely needed.
Among other things, I ordered large sketching blocks for
working out-of-doors. And I had to buy a pair of trousers, and
tomorrow I shall have to pay the fare to Utrecht. But it has
helped me a great deal.
I was also surprised by a very short visit from Father. I
think he rather liked the workmen's figures I am working
on.
Among the blocks I ordered with Rappard's money is also one
for watercolours; I tried it at once, a cottage in the dunes
with a wheelbarrow, etc., in the foreground, and a small figure
of a digger in the background. Oh, Theo, some day or other I
shall surely get the knack of making watercolours.
These last days, or rather weeks, I have had the very
pleasant company of a young land surveyor who tried his hand at
drawing [Furnée]. He once showed me drawings, which I
thought very bad, and I told him why I thought them so bad.
Of course I never expected to hear from him again after
... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(8-15 December 1885)
... with which I can work more accurately.
Then the canvases which I brought with me were too small for
the heads, because by using other colours I need more space for
the surroundings.
All that and the models are ruining me.
I tell you this as emphatically as possible, because when
losing time one loses doubly.
In the last days of this month, after I have done some more
heads, I hope to paint a view on the Scheldt, for which I have
already bought a canvas. I can also go there in bad weather, to
an inn at St. Anne's, that is on the other side, opposite the
Lieve Vrouwekerk [Our Lady's Church]. Other painters have
worked there before.
I am very glad I came here, for in many ways it is useful
and necessary for me.
I made the acquaintance of Tyck, the best colour
manufacturer here, and he was very kind in giving me
information about some colours. About green colours, for
instance, that are fast. I also asked him things about Rubens's
technique, which he... | Lettre de Vincent van Gogh à Theo van Gogh
(c. 9 March 1888)
... verront-ils des jours plus
sereins ?
J'ai acheté de la grosse toile ici, et je l'ai faite préparer
pour les effets mats, je puis avoir tout maintenant à peu près
au prix de Paris.
Samedi soir j'ai eu la visite de deux peintres
amateurs, dont l'un est épicier et vend aussi les articles de peinture,
et l'autre est un juge de paix, qui a l'air bon et intelligent.
Malheureusement je n'arrive guère à vivre à meilleur compte qu'à
Paris, il faut que je compte 5 fr. par jour.
Je n'ai pour le moment encore rien trouvé en fait de pension bourgeoise,
mais cela doit sûrement exister
pourtant.
Si à Paris le temps s'adoucit aussi, cela te fera du bien. Quel hiver !
Je n'ose pas rouler mes études encore, car cela n'a guère
séché, et il y a des empâtements qui ne seront pas
vite secs.
Je viens de lire Tartarin sur les Alpes, qui
m'a énormément amusé.
Est-ce que ce sacré... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(c. 9 March 1888)
... and will they see less
troubled days?
I have bought some coarse canvas here, and had it prepared
for mat effects. I can get everything now almost at the same
prices as in Paris. Saturday evening I had a visit from two
amateur artists, a grocer who sells painting materials as well,
and a magistrate who seems a nice fellow, and intelligent.
Worse luck, I can hardly manage to live any cheaper than in
Paris, I must figure it at 5 Fr. a day.
I have not yet found any sort of small place where I could
have private board and lodging, but all the same something of
the kind must exist.
If the weather is milder in Paris too, it will do you good.
What a winter! I dare not roll up my studies yet because they
are hardly dry and there are some bits of impasto which will
take some time to dry.
I have just finished reading Tartarin on the Alps, which
amused me hugely.
Has that confounded Tersteeg written you yet? All to the
good if he has. If he doesn't answer, he will hear... |
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