| | 3 letters relate to attitude - Father... | Excerpt length: shorter longer | |
| Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(23 November 1881)
... different - aye, even opposite - views.
So I do not consider Father an enemy, but a friend who would
be even more my friend if he were less afraid that I might
“infect” him with French “errors” (?).
I think if Father understood my real intentions, I could often
be of some use to him, even with his sermons, because I
sometimes see a text in quite a different light. But Father
thinks my opinion entirely wrong, considers it contraband, and
systematically rejects it.
Now in regard to the “case in question,” as
Uncle Stricker calls what happened between Kee and me, I must
tell you that I have risked an attack on the above-mentioned
Mr. S.: by means of a registered letter. I was afraid
unregistered letters would be ignored, but he will be obliged
to read this one, and in it I have tried to draw his attention
to some points which I fear he overlooked or which he would
take no notice of. It is a very “undiplomatic”
letter, very... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(17 August 1883)
... continue to
understand each other.
I have quarreled with Father very often, but the bond
between us has never quite been broken.
Well, let nature simply follow its own course in this - you
will become what you must, I too will not remain exactly the
same as I am now; let's not suspect each other of absurd things
and we shall get on together. And let's not forget that we have
known each other from childhood, and that thousands of other
things can bring us more and more together.
I am a little worried about what seemed to worry you, and I
doubt if I know exactly what was the matter, or rather I
believe it is caused less by one definite thing than by the
fact that there are some points in which our characters differ,
and that you understand one thing better, I another.
I think it would be well for us to try to stick
together.
One thing - if I become too much of a burden to you, let the
friendship remain, even though you help me less in money
matters. I shall... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(c. 15 December 1885)
... think of me, as far as that goes.
Certainly it is regrettable that such things much happen.
But then, you see, there are certain recollections as, for
instance, that up to the last Father spoke and behaved toward
me, really, in the same way as the Roman Catholic priest. Can't
they understand of their own accord that, for the very reason
that you no longer feeling angry, you have definitely become
more estranged from them than if they were strangers?
Tell Mother so, if you like, for I do not want to say a
harsh word to her, but I positively decline to write. And
Mother is old, so I do not want to tell her sharply that I
refuse to write. Such things have happened to other painters
too, and it is one of those things it is better to leave
alone.
At the museum there is a portrait of Delroche painted by
Portaels. During his life he seemed such a big man, but how
hollow and empty he proved to be afterward! Manet and Courbet
did not seem serious during their lives,... |
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