Dear Theo,
Just one word more, probably the last I shall write from
Paris. I leave here on Friday night and shall be home Saturday
morning at the same time as at Christmas.
Yesterday I saw six pictures by Michel, how I wish you could
have seen them too! Sunken paths through sandy fields leading
to a mill, or a man going home across the heath with grey skies
above - so simple and beautiful. I think the “Men of
Emmaus” saw nature in the same way as Michel and I always
think of them when I see one of his pictures.
At the same time I saw a very large picture by Jules
Dupré. There is black marshy soil as far as one can see,
on the second plane is a river, and in the foreground, a pool
with three horses. Both the river and the pool reflect a bank
of white and grey clouds, behind which the sun has set. The sky
is a soft blue, with some grey-red and purple at the
horizon.
I saw these pictures at Durand Ruel's; more than twenty-five
etchings after Millet, the same number after Michel and a great
number after Dupré and Corot. All the other artists can
be purchased there at 1 franc apiece; it was tempting. I could
not resist the Millet and bought the last three that were to be
had after “The Angelus”; of course, my brother will
get one of them at the first opportunity.
Write again soon, kind regards to Roos, and Mr. and Mrs.
Tersteeg and all who may ask after me. A handshake from
Your loving brother, Vincent
At this time, Vincent was 22 year oldSource: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written 28 March 1876 in Paris. Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, edited by Robert Harrison, number 058. URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/3/058.htm.
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