Letter from Theo van Gogh to Vincent van Gogh (2 May 1889) ... you
free to go out in order to work.
As for me, I attribute a large part of your disease to the
fact that your material existence has been too neglected. In an
establishment like the one at St. Rémy there will
be approximately the same regularity in the mealtimes and so
on, and I think this regularity will do you no harm - on the
contrary. Now if you should prefer, we might try to get
information about the establishment at Aix or Marseilles in
order to see whether they make other conditions there. What you
ought to know is that from one point of view you are not to be
pitied, though it may not seem so.
How many are there who would be glad of having done the work
you have accomplished; what more do you ask; wasn't it your
cherished wish to create something, and if it was granted you
to make what you have made, then why do you despair that a time
will come when you will do good work again? However bad society
may be at present, there are still ways of living in it;
...
Letter from Reverend Salles to Theo van Gogh (10 May 1889) ... Arles, May 10th 1889
Dear Sir,
Last Monday I received by telegraphic mandate your 200 francs,
and, after hearing what your brother had to say, we left together on
Wednesday morning for Saint Rémy. Since then I have been away,
and on my return I found your letter.
Your brother had told me that the sum you sent me, 150 f., should be
handed to the establishment (that is what I have done) and that the rest,
50 f., will stay in my hands to pay for the journey to St-Rémy, or
keep in case he writes me to ask for a book or something else he needs. He
hasn't spoken about his linen and his clothes to me, and last week I questioned
him about the outfit he needs. He answered that he was sufficiently provided for.
For the rest, if he lacks something in this respect you can talk it over with doctor
Peyron, the director of the Establishment; I believe he is a man of confidence who
will only ask for what is necessary without trying to make anything out of it.
There remains the settlement with the treasurer of the...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (c. 10-15 May 1889) ... in surroundings will do me good, I think.
As far as I can tell, the doctor here is of the opinion that
what I have had is some sort of epileptic attack. But I haven't
asked him more about it.
Have you received the case of paintings, I am curious to
know if they have suffered, yes or no?
I have two more on the go - violet irises and a lilac bush ,
two subjects taken from the garden.
The idea of my duty to get back to work occurs to me a lot
and I believe that all my faculties for work will soon come
back to me. It's just that the work often absorbs me so much
that I think that for the rest of my life I will always be a
bit absent-minded and awkward when shifting for myself.
I won't write you a long letter - I want to try to reply to
my new sister's letter, which moved me very much, but I don't
know if I'll be able to do it.
A handshake,
Ever yours, Vincent
My dear sister,
Many thanks for your letter in which I especially looked for
news...
Letter from Dr. Peyron to Theo van Gogh (26 May 1889) ... view
outside of the establishment.
You ask me for my opinion on the likely course of his malady; I must tell you that I
reserve my prognosis for the moment, but I am afraid it is serious, because I have reason
to believe that the attack that he had was caused by an epileptic condition, and if
this is confirmed it will be necessary to be concerned for the future.
I intend to go to Paris during the month of June. I will have the honour of seeing you
and better acquaint you about your patient than one can do by letter.
Sincerely Yours.
Dr. Th. Peyron.
...
Letters from Dr. T. Peyron to Theo van Gogh (1889 - 1890) ... St.-Rémy, 29 January 1889.
I am writing to you on behalf of M. Vincent, who is the
victim of another attack. I therefore confirm receipt of the
registered letter you sent him and of a roll of papers sent by
normal mail. M. Vincent was getting on very well and was
completely himself when last week he wanted to go to Arles to
see some people, and two days after he made the journey the
attack took place. At present he is unable to do any work at
all and only replies incoherently to any question put to him. I
trust that this will pass again as it has done before.
St.-Rémy, 26 May 1889.
In reply to your letter of the 23 rd inst., I am
pleased to tell you that since his entry into this house M.
Vincent is completely calm and that he finds that his health is
improving day by day.
