Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (c. 9 July 1888) ... sing at least as loud
as a frog.
I have again been thinking that when you remember that I
painted the portrait of père Tanguy , and that he also had the
portrait of mother Tanguy (which they sold), and of their
friend (it is true that for this latter portrait I was paid 20
francs by him), and that I have bought without discount 250
francs worth of paints from Tanguy, on which naturally he made
something, and finally that I have been his friend no less than
he has been mine, I have very serious reason to doubt his right
to claim money from me; and it really is squared by the study
he still has of mine, all the more so because there was an
express arrangement that he should pay himself by the sale of a
picture.
Xanthippe, Mother Tanguy, and some other ladies have by
some queer freak of Nature heads of silex or flint. Certainly
these ladies are a good deal more dangerous in civilized
society they circulate in than the poor citizens bitten by mad dogs
who live in...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (8 October 1888) ... quarreled
with either Tripp or Bague.
Only, while not saying too much about the first two batches,
tell Bague that I am very pleased he has bought that study, and
that I shall be doing studies as long as the autumn is
propitious, and that I want him to come and see them when we
send them with some Gauguins.
As for Thomas, I think it would be the right thing to go and
see him.
I have just written that, all told, I have 6 francs
left.
Is that enough for a week? No.
So I really beg you to send me a louis, and that by return
mail, please. That will give me 16 francs for the week, and
then I shall manage to get through. But do not delay.
Besides, I must be ready to work as soon as the fine weather
appears. We have an absolutely merciless mistral, but I must
hold myself in readiness, the work is done in short intervals.
So that everything must be prepared and ready for the
attack.
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (10 October 1888) ... of the half
dealer, half collector type. C. M., without helping us in any
other way, could buy one study from us once again.
I do not know if you have ever read Les Frères
Zemganno by the de Goncourt brothers, which perhaps roughly
sketches their life story. If you know it, you will know that I
am more afraid than I can say lest the effort to get money
exhaust you too much.
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to His Mother (c. 20 February 1890) ... I felt at times very much cheered by it;
moreover, yesterday Theo wrote me that they had sold one of my
pictures at Brussels for 400 francs. 1 Compared with
other prices, also those in Holland, this is little, but
therefore I try to be productive to be able to go on working at
a reasonable cost. And if we have to try to earn our bread with
our hands, I have to make up for pretty considerable expenses.
The letter from you and Wil has just arrived, many thanks for
it; I'd have written you before, but as I said, my head felt so
little like writing because of rather hard work.
Now I am strongly inclined to take advantage of my good luck
in selling this picture by going to Paris to visit Theo. And
thanks to the physician here, I shall leave feeling calmer and
healthier than when I came. Trying how it goes outside a
hospital is perhaps only natural.
Though work may perhaps be more difficult when I am free
again.
Well, let's hope for the best. It is curious that my friend
...
Letter from Theo van Gogh to Vincent van Gogh (29 March 1890) ... and to write an article about him.
I received the money from your picture from Brussels, and
Maus writes me, “As soon as an opportunity presents
itself please tell your brother that I was extremely glad of
his participation in the Salon of the `XX,' where he has found
many lively artistic sympathies in the confusion of the
discussions.” Do you want me to send you the money? I
shall hold it for you as long as you wish.
I hope, my dear brother, that you will be able to give us a
more satisfactory report on your health very soon. If only you
could see your little namesake you would feel happier. Try to
find out from Dr. Peyron whether he sees any danger in your
coming to Paris as soon as you have recovered from this crisis.
Jo gives you her kindest regards, and joins me in expressing
best wishes for your prompt recovery.
A cordial handshake.
Theo
In Paris this day is called “jour de
vernissage” [varnishing...
