Dear Theo,
I was very glad to get your letter and thank you warmly for
what was enclosed. But I am very sorry that probably sending it
to me after all inconvenienced you more than you say. I
sincerely hope that you have got that money back since.
1
So Hendrik has also returned from the Indies. Were he and
his family in good health? Or was ill health the cause for
their return? In the past Hendrik made a much less favourable
impression on me than his two brothers - is this your opinion
too?
I think it will give good results on that paper Buhot gave
you.
Sometime when you are here we'll talk that matter over, and
I will show you drawings that might be made on it. A year ago
it puzzled me, how to get some very deep tones of black, but I
found a few of them in the printer's office. So now I can
penetrate a little further into seeking for plastic effects and
chiaroscuro.
Thanks for the good wishes on my birthday. It happened to be
a very pleasant day, as I just had an excellent model for a
digger. One thing I can assure you of, the work gets more and
more stimulating, and it gives me, so to speak, more vitality;
and then I always think of you, because it is you who make it
possible for me to work. That is, without fatal obstacles,
without direct handicaps. Difficulties sometimes spur one on
even more. Now the time has come to put more energy into
it.
My ideal is to work with more and more models, quite a herd
of poor peoples to whom the studio would be a kind of harbour
of refuge on winter days, or when they are out of work or in
great need. Where they would know that there was fire, food and
drink for them, and a little money to be earned. At present
this is so only on a very small scale, but I hope it will grow.
Right now I confine myself to a few models, and stick to them -
I cannot spare one of them, but would have use for some
more.
You write about some art lovers who might take my work some
time, even though it shouldn't become exactly a current
article. Well, I really believe the same. If I should succeed
in putting some warmth and love into my work, it will find its
friends. The thing is to keep on working.
Today I have the old man again, and must go and get my
things ready.
This week I met Van der Weele again, and also expect him
here one of these days.
Probably you will be very busy with the Salon. I suppose you
can't tell me approximately when you will come to Holland yet,
can you? Have a good time, and if you have a moment to spare,
write me again. Adieu, with a handshake,
Yours sincerely, Vincent
-
Theo had lent some money to a cousin from the
Indies.
At this time, Vincent was 30 year oldSource: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written 2 April 1883 in The Hague. Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, edited by Robert Harrison, number 278. URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/12/278.htm.
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