Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (c. 12 October 1881) ... again a few times, a digger and a basket weaver. And
then last week I received from Uncle in Prinsenhage a paintbox
which is still very good, certainly good enough to begin on (it
is Paillard's paint). I am very glad to have it.
I at once started to make a kind of watercolour, like the
sketch below [Painting lost].
[The second sketch in the above picture was drawn here.]
I am very happy to get models. I am also trying to get a
horse and a donkey.
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (c. 26 September 1888) ... Tanguy say of the gross-grained paints now?
I think I must warn him at once that I still want 5 or even 10
meters of canvas. And that at the same time I shall also
want:
3 large tubes as the silver white and the zinc white and the
Prussian blue.
6 large tubes id. id. chrome I citron
6 “ “ id. id. chrome II
2 “ “ id. id. chrome III
6 “ “ id. id. malachite green
and 6 medium tubes geranium lake
12 zinc white, large tubes
12 silver white
This is approximately in proportion to the canvas.
As I have just received the consignment of canvas and
colours, you will understand that there is no hurry; however,
it is the minimum that I shall need during autumn and the
falling of the leaves, which will be marvellous and which lasts
only one week.
I am sure that I shall be able to do a good job of work, and
during that period I should not like to run short of yellow and
blue.
Letter from Theo van Gogh to Vincent van Gogh (27 October 1888) ... which she requested me to forward to
you. Tasset will send you the paints and the canvas
shortly.
I hope to see you soon, and a cordial handshake to
Gauguin.
Theo
1. See Vincent's letter 557.
...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (c. 16 November 1888) ... take on a more mysterious character.
Tasset's package arrived the day before yesterday, and we
were very pleased with it. Could Tasset send besides - but it
is urgent - one very big tube of vermilion (same size as the
big flake white) and 3 tubes of Prussian blue of the same size?
We should be tremendously obliged.
I am glad Jet Mauve has written, and I venture to think that
little by little they will come round to the impressionists
after all. A handshake in thought for you, and my compliments
to Haan and Isaäcson.
Ever Yours, Vincent
...
Letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh (24 March 1889) ... a relapse, and I pass on
to something else. Before you leave, could you send me
3 tubes zinc white
1 tube same size cobalt
1 “ “ ultramarine
4 “ “ malachite green
1 “ “ emerald green
1 “ “ orange lead
This in case - probable enough if I find a way of resuming
my work again - I should set to work shortly on the orchards
again. Oh, if only nothing had happened to mess up my life!
Let's think well before going to another place. You see that
I have no better luck in the South than in the North. It's
pretty much the same everywhere.
I am thinking of frankly accepting my role of madman, the
way Degas acted the part of a notary. But there it is, I do not
feel that altogether I have strength enough for such a
part.
You talk to me of what you call “the real
South.” The reason why I shall never go there is above. I
rightly leave that to men who have a more well-balanced mind,
...
