Dear Theo,
In your last letter you wrote that there is a good chance of
your coming to Holland pretty soon. I am very glad because I am
looking forward to seeing you. Now I know that you are coming,
I think it even more unnecessary to send you a few things;
perhaps I might have if you were not coming, so that you might
see my drawings do not get any worse, though they are far from
what they ought to be. Well, you will see for yourself what is
in them when you come.
In my last letter I wrote about the Salon's catalogue; I did
so to remind you of it, in case you might be able to get one.
Of course, if need be I can do very well without it - it is not
a necessity of life.
But there is another thing which is a necessity, and when
you come, and if it is not too difficult for you to carry,
bring some with you then.
I have made another drawing in the Liesbosch,
and now it has become quite hot - too hot to sit on the
heath by day - so I work at home now, and am copying the
drawings by Holbein from the Bargues.
Remembering what you told me once, I have tried to draw a few portraits after
photographs, and I think this is good practice.
As I asked you before, write whenever you can and receive a
handshake in thought,
Vincent
At this time, Vincent was 28 year oldSource: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written July 1881 in Etten. Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, edited by Robert Harrison, number 147. URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/10/147.htm.
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