Letter of recommendation from H. V. van Gogh (14 November 1875) ... R. Montaigne de la Cour,
Bruxelles.
The undersigned declares that Mr. Theod. van Gogh has been
employed by our house from 6 January of the current year until
today, and that I have every reason to express my entire
satisfaction with his behaviour as well as with the zeal he has
given evidence of during this period of time.
Brussels, 14 November 1875
H. V. van Gogh
V. Schmidt success.
...
Letters from the Van Gogh Family to Theo van Gogh (1876) ... Lies to Theo
27 February 1876
How nice for you to be allowed to make the trade journey for
the spring season. I am sure that will be a big change for
you.
Reverend van Gogh to Theo.
8 March 1876
It is just as I wrote to you, it is certain that Willemien
is not going to stay in England.
Reverend van Gogh to Theo.
15 March 1876
Anna suggests that she will come home with Willemien in the
beginning of May and stay with us until August. Up to that time
she is willing to remain Willemien's governess.
[Mother] And now, dear Theo, live happily. Look for the good
things in life in all respects. Avoid what is not good. Control
yourself in the things which you don't need but were
recommended to you in well-meant advice.
Reverend van Gogh to Theo.
31 March 1876
I find it a marvellous thing for you and hope that it will
be successful. You are going to visit some interesting
towns.
Reverend van Gogh to Theo.
1 July 1876
...
Letters from his Parents to Theo van Gogh (1877) ... Mrs. van Gogh to Theo.
7 June 1877
Theo, Uncle [Vincent] loves you so much, I believe that
after the disappointment with Vincent, the thought that you may
succeed in his old favourite trade gives him a hope in life,
something that is so important to him. Write him from time to
time; that will give him pleasure, and tell him about
everything; he is so nice to us that we should cooperate as far
as we can to give him some joy in life.
...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (12 June 1877) ... accompanied you back to
Dordrecht.
And then you tell me that you spoke with Father and Mother
about your plans for the future; when I read that my heart went
out to you; I think you are quite right. Launch out into the
deep. But I only hope that you will go to London before you see
Paris. But we must calmly wait and see how things turn out.
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (May 1878) ...
It is time for you to hear from me again. I have already
heard from Father of your safe arrival and how you walked all
over the city during those first days. I am very curious to
hear what your first impressions were, so as soon as you can
find time to write, your letter will be welcomed. It is true,
however, that first impressions often change, for we know only
too well that all is not gold that glitters and that though
there may be a bright dawn, there is also a dark midnight and a
burning, oppressive heat at noon. But just as the morning hour
is blessed and is worth much gold, so first impressions keep
their value even though they pass, for sometimes they prove to
have been right after all, and one comes back to them. So write
me what you saw these first days and what your thoughts have
been.
Just now we are having bad weather here, and probably it is
the same in Paris. You will soon perceive that it is much
warmer there in summer than in Holland, and you will also see
...
