Relevant paintings: "Seine with the Pont de Clichy," Vincent van Gogh [Enlarge]
"Langlois Bridge at Arles with Road alongside the Canal," Vincent van Gogh [Enlarge]
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Dear Theo,
I have waited too long to answer your last letter, and I
will tell you why. Let me begin by thanking you for your letter
and the 200 francs enclosed. And then I want to tell you that
today I just finished arranging a spacious new studio I have
rented.
Two rooms - a big one and a smaller one adjoining.
That kept me pretty busy these last two weeks. I think I
shall be able to work much better there than in the little room
at home. And I hope you will approve of the step I have taken
when you see it.
For the rest, I have been very busy painting the large study
of the weaver I told you of, and I have also
started to paint the little church steeple, you know.
What you write about the Salon is very important. As to what
you say about Puvis de Chavannes, I am very glad to see his
work thus, and I perfectly agree with your appreciation of his
talent. As to the colourists, after all I think the same as you
do about them. I can become quite absorbed in a Puvis de
Chavannes, but for all that I should feel exactly the same as
you do in front of a landscape with cows by Mauve, and
paintings by Maris and Israëls.
But you will see for yourself when you come here.
I have been so busy painting that lately I haven't made a
single drawing. Van Rappard writes me that he will come by the
end of this week; I am very glad.
Moreover I think he will come back this year for a longer
time.
He is bringing a number of my drawings with him, which I
will then send on to you at once.
After some time, perhaps I shall agree with you that
last year's change has improved my position, and that it has
been a change for the better.
But I shall always regret that at the time I had to give up
a thing which I should have liked to carry through.
I think that Mother is getting on very well; yesterday she
came in her Bath chair to see my new studio.
But I feel quite optimistic about it, it seems to me that in
general the people in Nuenen are better than those in Etten or
Helvoirt; there is more sincerity here, at least that is my
impression after having been here for some time.
It is true the people here look at things from a clergyman's
point of view, but in such a way that I, for my part, don't
feel any scruple in putting up with it.
And the Brabant of one's dreams, reality almost comes
very near it sometimes.
I admit that my original intention of settling in Brabant,
which came to naught, again has a strong attraction for me. But
knowing how such a plan can fail, we must wait and see whether
it would prove an illusion or not; well, for the present I have
enough to do. I again have space enough to be able to work with
a model, but there's absolutely no saying how long it will
last.
Well, goodbye, the Salon will certainly give you a lot of
work, but for all that, it will be an interesting time too.
Once more, thanks for what you sent, which indeed I really
needed because of this change. I hope you will approve of it
when you see how I have arranged things. Goodbye, with a
handshake,
Yours sincerely, Vincent
Love from all at home, they ask you to write to them.
At this time, Vincent was 31 year oldSource: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written c. 15 May 1884 in Nuenen. Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, edited by Robert Harrison, number 368. URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/14/368.htm.
This letter may be freely used, in accordance with the terms of this site.
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