| | 27 letters relate to business - sales... | Excerpt length: shorter longer | |
| Letter from Reverend Van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(20 December 1878)
... he
would try to do something for him.
In the meantime, he spends his free moments drawing big maps
of Palestine which can be used for talks and catechism, and
with which he tries to make some money. I received one and
ordered him to make four more copies for which I gave him ten
francs each.
... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(18 February 1882)
... can imagine, I am very hard pressed for money. Mr.
Tersteeg bought a small drawing from me for 10 guilders, with
which I managed this week. But he wants them small and only in
watercolour, and I do not always succeed in that. But at least
the first sheep has crossed the bridge. I work as much as I
can, but don't forget that I shall break down if I have too
many cares and anxieties.
So write by return mail, send me some money if you can, and
believe me, with a handshake,
Yours sincerely, Vincent
This week I made three other studies beside the one Mr.
Tersteeg bought; the technique is not perfect yet, but, thank
God, the drawing is better.
I am very glad that I feel my drawing is improving, it gives
me courage. Drawing is the principal thing, whatever they may
say, and it is the most difficult too. It is for this reason
that I venture to say I shall make something saleable within a
year. For the one Mr. Tersteeg bought does not count - I shall
make them much better... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(c. 11 March 1882)
... Theo, it is almost miraculous!!!
First comes your registered letter, second, C. M. asks me to
make 12 small pen drawings for him, views of The Hague, apropos
of some that were ready. ( The Paddemoes , the
Geest and the Vleersteeg were finished.) At 2.50 guilders
apiece, price fixed by me, with the promise that if they suit
him, he will take 12 more at his own price, which will be
higher than mine. In the third place, I just met Mauve, happily
delivered of his large picture, and he promised to come and see
me soon. So, “ça va, ça marche, ça
ira encore!”
And another thing touched me - very, very deeply. I had told
the model not to come today - I didn't say why, but
nevertheless the poor woman came, and I protested. “Yes,
but I have not come to pose - I just came to see if you had
something for dinner.” She had brought me a dish of beans
and potatoes. There are things that make life worth living
after all. The following... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(c. 11 March 1882)
... the Geest - the Fish Market.”
“Then make twelve for me.”
“Yes,” said I, “but this is business, so
we must fix a price at once. I have set the price for a small
drawing of this size, either in pencil or pen, at 2.50 guilders
- do you think that unreasonable?”
“No,” he said, “but if they turn out well,
I will ask you to make twelve more of Amsterdam, and then I
shall fix the price myself, so that you will get a little more
for them.”
Well, I think that pretty successful for a visit which I
more or less dreaded.
Seeing that we agreed, Theo, that I should tell you things
spontaneously, in my own way, I describe those little scenes to
you just as they happen. Particularly since in this way, though
you are absent, you get a glimpse of my studio.
I long very much for your coming, because then I can speak
more seriously with you, for instance, about what happened at
home.
C. M.'s order... | Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh
(24 March 1882)
... lately, and am busy from
morning till night. First, the little drawings for C.M. They
are finished, and I have sent them to him 1 . I had
hoped he would pay me at once, and since he has not, I am
afraid he will forget it, and when will he send it now??? I
continue to make such little views of the city almost every
day, and have the knack now.
I wish Tersteeg or others who pretend to be friendly or to
want to help me would ask for things that I can make,
instead of asking for impossible things which discourage
instead of encourage me. Enfin, que soit. But I had expected
C.M. to pay me at once. The drawings were certainly no worse
than the specimen which he saw, and I had trouble enough making
them, perhaps more than 30 guilders' worth. If people
understood that nothing is nothing, and that days
without a penny in my pocket are very hard and difficult, I
think they would not begrudge me the little money I get from
you which keeps me afloat in these hard times,... |
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