Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (24 July 1875) ... Paris, July 24 1875
Dear Theo,
A few days ago we received a picture by de Nittis,
a view of London on a rainy day, Westminster bridge and the house of
Parliament [sic]. I used to pass over Westminsterbridge every morning
and evening and know how it looks when the sun sets behind
Westminster abbey and the house of Parliament, and how it looks
early in the morning, and in winter in snow and fog.
When I saw the picture I felt how much I loved London. Still
I think that it is better for me that I left it.
This in answer to your question.
I certainly do not believe that you will be sent to
London.
Thanks for the “Springtime of Life.” And
“At Midnight” by Rückert. The first is very
beautiful, the latter reminds me of “September
Night” by de Musset. I wish I could send it you, but I do
not possess it.
Yesterday we sent a box to The Hague in which you will find
what I promised you.
I hear that Anna and Liesbeth...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (29 September 1875) ... unpleasant remarks many a time.
How I should like it if we could have breakfast together or
drink a cup of chocolate in my room. Keep courage, old
fellow.
Don't take things that don't really concern you very closely
too much to heart, and don't let them hit you too
hard.
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (4 December 1875) ... like to
celebrate it once more.
I am looking forward to Christmas, aren't you? We shall have
a great many things to talk about. It is a pity that Anna
cannot come too; I hope she also will have pleasant days.
Christmas in England is very interesting, and perhaps Anna will
learn to love her surroundings better if she celebrates the
holiday there and helps to make things pleasant in the
house.
My dear Englishman (Gladwell is his name) is also going home
for a few days. You can imagine how he longs to go; he has
never been away from home before.
Write to me soon.
Is it as cold in Holland as it is here? With our little
stove, Gladwell and I are very comfortable - morning and
evening.
I have taken to smoking a pipe again and I enjoy it as of
old. Compliments to everybody who may ask about me. A warm
handshake from
Your loving brother, Vincent
...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (28 April 1876) ... mutual love increase with the years.
I am so glad that
we have so many things in common, not only
memories of childhood but also that you are working in the same
business in which I was till now and know so many people and
places which I know also, and that you have so much love for
nature and art.
Mr. Stokes has told me that he intends to move after the
holidays, of course with the whole school, to a little village
on the Thames about three hours from London. There he will
organize his school somewhat differently and perhaps enlarge
it.
Now I am going to tell you about a walk we took yesterday.
It was to an inlet of the sea, and the road thither led through
fields of young corn and along hedges of hawthorn, etc.
Arriving there, we saw to our left a high steep ridge of
sand and stone as tall as a two-storey house. On the top of it
were old, gnarled hawthorn bushes, whose black and grey
moss-grown stems and branches were all bent to one side by the
wind;...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (1 September 1876) ... by Scheffer
for her birthday.
I am happily looking forward to Christmas; two years ago we
took a walk in the snow in the evening, do you remember? And
saw the moon rise over the Marienhof? I also quite clearly
remember the night, that same Christmastide, I drove from
Bois-le-Duc to Helvoirt in a little open cart, it was terribly
cold and the road was slippery; how beautiful Bois-le-Duc
looked, the market square and the streets covered with snow and
the dark houses with snow on the roofs. Brabant is ever
Brabant, and one's native country is ever one's native country,
and countries of exile are ever countries of exile. And viewed
from the distant road to Bois-le-Duc, how pleasant Helvoirt
looked that evening and the lights in the village and the
steeple amidst the snow-covered poplars. But it is love that
gives it all so much beauty and animation. And do you remember
that trip to St. Michiel's Gestel.
“The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with
singing...
