PaintingAll Articles

From: Vincent van Gogh

To: Theo van Gogh

The Hague, 17 March 1873

Dear Theo,

It is time for you to hear from me again. I am longing to hear how you and Uncle Hein are, so I hope that you will be able to find time to write me.

I suppose you have heard that I am going to London, probably very soon. I do hope that we shall see each other before then. If there is any chance, I shall go to Helvoirt at Easter, but that depends on Iterson, who is away on business. I cannot go away before he comes back.

It will be quite a different life for me in London, as I shall probably have to live alone in rooms. I’ll have to take care of many things I don’t have to worry about now.

I am looking forward very much to seeing London, as you can imagine, but still I am sorry to leave here. Now that it has been decided that I shall go away, I feel how strongly I am attached to The Hague. Well, it can’t be helped, and I intend not to take things too hard. It will be splendid for my English - I can understand it well enough, but I cannot speak it as well as I would wish.

I heard from Anna that you had your picture taken. If you have one to spare, don’t forget me.

How is Uncle Hein? Not better, I am afraid. And how is Aunt? Can Uncle keep himself busy, and does he suffer much pain? Give him my warmest regards. I think of him so often. How is business? I think you must be rushed with work; we certainly are here. You must feel at home in the business by this time.

How is your boardinghouse - does it still please you? That’s an important thing. Be sure to tell me more about the pictures you see. A fortnight ago I was in Amsterdam to see an exhibition of the pictures that are going from here to Vienna. It was very interesting, and I am curious to know what impression the Dutch artists will make in Vienna. I am also curious to see the English painters; we see so little of them because almost everything remains in England.

In London Goupil has no gallery, but sells only directly to art dealers. Uncle Vincent will be here at the end of this month, and I am looking forward to hearing more particulars from him.

The Haanebeeks and Aunt Fie always ask how you are and send you their best wishes. What delightful weather we are having! I enjoy it as much as I can; last Sunday I went out boating with Willem ¹. How I should have liked to stay here this summer, but we must take things as they are. And now adieu. Best wishes and write to me soon. Say goodbye for me to Uncle and Aunt, Mr. Schmidt and Eduard. I am looking forward to Easter.

Always your loving brother, Vincent.

Theo, I strongly advise you to smoke a pipe; it is a remedy for the blues, which I happen to have had now and then lately. I just received your letter, many thanks. I like the photograph very much, it is a good likeness. I will let you know as soon as I know something more about my going to Helvoirt; it would be nice if you could come on the same day. Adieu.

1. This was Willem Valkes, a cousin of the Roos family and a fellow boarder with Vincent.

From: Vincent van Gogh

To: Theo van Gogh

The Hague, January 28, 1873

Dear Theo,

I was glad you answered me so soon and that you like Brussels and have found a nice boarding-house. Don’t lose heart if it is very difficult at times, everything will come out all right and nobody can in the beginning do as he wishes.

How I pity Uncle Hein, I heartily hope he will recover, but, Theo, I fear he will not. Last summer he was still full of enthusiasm and had so many plans and told me that business was flourishing. It’s very sad. Last Sunday I was at Uncle Cor’s and spent a very pleasant day there as you can imagine, and saw so many beautiful things. As you know, Uncle has just come back from Paris and brought some beautiful pictures and drawings with him. I remained in Amsterdam till Monday morning and went to see the museums again. Do you know that they are going to build a large new museum in Amsterdam, instead of the Trippenhuis? I think it is right, for the Trippenhuis is small and many pictures are hung so that they can hardly be seen.

How I should have liked to see that picture by Cluysenaer, I have only seen a few pictures of his and those I liked very much. Tell me if that other picture is by “Alfred” Stevens, or else what the first name is. I know the photograph after the Rotta and have even seen the picture at the Exhibition in Brussels. Be sure to let me know what pictures you see, I am always glad to know. The album of which you gave me the title is not the one I meant, which is only lithographs after Corot. But I thank you for the trouble you have taken. I hope to get a letter from sister Anna soon, she is rather laggard about writing of late. Do surprise her with a letter, that would be such a pleasure to her. I suppose you are very busy, but that is not bad. It is cold here and they are skating already. I walk as much as I can. I wonder if you will have any chance to skate. Enclosed you will find my photograph, but if you write home don’t mention it, as you know it is for father’s birthday. I have already sent you my congratulations upon that day. My best compliments to Uncle and Aunt, also to Mr. Schmidt and Eduard. Always

Your loving brother, Vincent.

Kind regards from everybody at Haanebeek’s, Aunt Fie and Roos.

From: Vincent van Gogh

To: Theo van Gogh

The Hague, January 1873

My dear Theo,

I Heard from home that you arrived safe and sound at Brussels and that your first impression was good. I know so well how strange you must feel in the beginning, but don’t lose courage, you’ll get on all right. You must soon write me how you are getting along and how you like your boardinghouse. I hope it will be good fellow from whom you can learn great deal.

What happy days we spent together at Christmas! I think of them so often. You will also remember them a long time, as they were the last days you spent at home. Don’t forget to tell me what pictures you see and which you like best.

I am very busy just now at the beginning of the year.

My New Year began well; they have granted me an increase of ten guilders (I therefore earn fifty guiders per month), and they have given me a bonus of fifty guiders as a present. Isn’t that splendid? I hope to be able to shift for myself now.

I am very happy that you work in the same firm. It is such a splendid house; the more one works there, the more ambition it gives you.

The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right. Will you ask Schmidt what the price of the Album Corot, lithographs by Emile Vernier is? Somebody asked for it at the store, and I know they have it in Brussels. Next time I write, I’ll spend you my picture, which I had taken last Sunday. Have you already been to the Palace Ducal? Don’t fail to go there when you have a chance.

Well, boy, keep your courage up. All the friends send you their compliments and good wishes. Give my regards to Schmidt and Eduard and write to me soon. Adieu.

Your loving brother, Vincent.

You know my address is,

Lange Beestenmarkt, 32

Or Goupil & Co., Plaats

From: Vincent van Gogh

To: Theo van Gogh

The Hague, 13 Dec 1872

Dear Theo,

What good news I’ve just read in Father’s letter. I wish you luck with all my heart. I’m sure you will like it there, it’s such a fine firm. It will be quite a change for you.

I am so glad that both of us are now to be in the same profession and in the same firm. We must be sure to write to each other regularly.

I hope that I’ll see you before you leave, we still have a lot to talk about. I believe that Brussels is a very pleasant city, but it’s bound to feel strange for you in the beginning. Write to me soon in any case. Well, goodbye for now, this is just a brief note dashed off in haste, but I had to tell you how delighted I am at the news. Best wishes, and believe me, always,

Your loving brother,

Vincent

I don’t envy you having to walk to Oisterwijk every day in this awful weather. Regards from the Roos family.

From: Vincent van Gogh

To: Theo van Gogh

The Hague, c. August 1872

Dear Theo,

Many thanks for your letter, I was glad to hear you arrived home safely. I missed you the first few days and it felt strange not to find you there when I came home in the afternoons.

We have had some enjoyable days together, and managed to take a few walks and see one or two sights between the spots of rain.

What dreadful weather! You must have sweltered from the heat on your walks to Oisterwijk. There was harness racing yesterday for the exhibition; but the illuminations and the fireworks were put off because of the bad weather, so it’s just as well you didn’t stay on to see them. Regards from the Haanebeek and Roos families.

Always your loving Vincent.