You would be a free man no longer
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, c. 14-18 March 1882
Theo, I am definitely not a landscape painter, when I do landscapes there will always be something of the figure in them. However, it seems to me a very good thing that there are also people who are essentially landscape painters. And - the thought that you might be just such a person - without knowing it - greatly preoccupies me. I am just as preoccupied with the antithesis, namely whether you, Theo, are really cut out to be a dealer.
If I had to prove the thesis, I might perhaps try to do so by indirect reduction. However that may be, do think it over. I don't need to tell you to consider carefully before you begin to paint, but perhaps you won't take it amiss if I add: Theo, until now you were free to do as you please but should you ever come to an arrangement with Messrs. Goupil & Cie and promise to stay on in their business for the rest of your life, then you would be a free man no longer. And - it seems quite possible to me that there may come a moment in life when one regrets having committed oneself in that way.
Letter 182
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
Theo, I am definitely not a landscape painter, when I do landscapes there will always be something of the figure in them. However, it seems to me a very good thing that there are also people who are essentially landscape painters. And - the thought that you might be just such a person - without knowing it - greatly preoccupies me. I am just as preoccupied with the antithesis, namely whether you, Theo, are really cut out to be a dealer.
If I had to prove the thesis, I might perhaps try to do so by indirect reduction. However that may be, do think it over. I don't need to tell you to consider carefully before you begin to paint, but perhaps you won't take it amiss if I add: Theo, until now you were free to do as you please but should you ever come to an arrangement with Messrs. Goupil & Cie and promise to stay on in their business for the rest of your life, then you would be a free man no longer. And - it seems quite possible to me that there may come a moment in life when one regrets having committed oneself in that way.
Letter 182
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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