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My dear Theo,
Thank you for your letter of today, and for the 110-franc
note it contained. As for the earlier letter with the 50
francs, I got it too, and I wrote you about it the day, or two
days, before I sent the two drawings. These drawings were made
with a reed sharpened the way you would a goose quill; I intend
to make a series of them, and hope to do better ones than the
first two. It is a method that I had already tried in Holland
some time ago, but I hadn't such good reeds there as here.
I have had a letter from Koning, please thank him for it; I
shall be very pleased to exchange the two drawings for one of
his studies, which you must choose and keep in your collection.
I will write him to explain the method and send him some
sharpened reeds so that he can try it too.
Whatever it may be, it was pretty disquieting. And the
situation would become serious if you quarreled with these
gentlemen.
I don't disguise from you that it will be a pretty severe
blow to you; not at the moment but say six months later,
because of the change in your way of life that it would bring
about.
When a man comes out of prison after having been there a
long time, there will be moments when he will even miss his
prison, because he finds himself at a loss now that he is at
liberty - so called, I suppose, because the grinding daily task
of earning your living hardly leaves any liberty at all.
But you know all this. You will certainly regret some things
in spite of yourself, even while you are gaining others.
I have ten orchards now, not counting three little studies,
and one big one of a cherry tree, which I've spoiled.
When will you be back and what exactly am I to do about
sending things? - for I must get fresh subjects, as most of the
flowering in the orchards is over.
Therefore, these orchards, with the Pont de l'Anglais,
constitute a first series. If you would rather leave them to
dry out here, perhaps it would be as well. They are now on a
covered terrace to dry. I say, Daumier is on view at the
Beaux-Arts and Gavarni too, aren't they? Bravo for the Daumier,
but not for the Beaux-Arts.
Here is a sketch of an orchard that I planned more
particularly for you to celebrate May 1. It's absolutely clear,
and done all in one go. A frenzy of impastos
of the faintest yellow and lilac on the original white
mass.
You will probably be in Holland by then, and perhaps you
will be seeing the same trees in flower there on that very
day.
I am very glad you have taken lessons in eating from young
Koning. He is thoroughly well up on it: and it's amusing to eat
with that budding young artist.
I am very pleased that you have got his study of the Negress.
Perhaps that Limoges woman, the La Roquette female, set her
evil tongue wagging and so the legend took root.
I am writing in haste so that you will get my letter before
you leave, if it is this Sunday that you intend to start.
Although I do not think that the journey will be very
delightful if Delort & Co.'s pictures are to be the bulk of
the collection designed for the worthy Belgians, all the same I
wish you a good time, and a good journey, and above all be of
good heart.
I saw Bernard's still life unfinished, and thought it
magnificent.
A handshake for you and Koning.
Ever yours, Vincent
At this time, Vincent was 35 year oldSource: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written c. 21 April 1888 in Arles. Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, edited by Robert Harrison, number 478. URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/18/478.htm.
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