This is business

Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, c. 11 March 1882

I got out my portfolio with smaller studies and sketches. He did not say anything until we came to a little drawing which I once sketched at twelve o'clock at night while strolling around with Breitner, the Paddemoes (that Jewish quarter near the New Church) as seen from the Peat Market. Next morning I had worked on it again with my pen. . . .

“Could you make some more of these views of the city?” asked C. M.

“Yes, I make them for a change sometimes when I am tired from working with the model . . . .”

“Then make twelve for me.”

“Yes,” said I, “but this is business, so we must fix a price at once. I have set the price for a small drawing of this size, either in pencil or pen, at 2.50 guilders - do you think that unreasonable?”

“No,” he said, “but if they turn out well, I will ask you to make twelve more of Amsterdam, and then I shall fix the price myself, so that you will get a little more for them.”

Letter 181
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
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