A real handicraft
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, early April 1882
As to Cor's education or Mother's support, the money for these two things will not be lacking, even if you become a painter. And as to yourself, your food, drink, sleep, your studio, your model…they are not far off; if the thought of painting should be aroused in you, you would see that it can be done.
But so that you won't suspect me of overlooking the financial end, I should like to say - though with all respect for your present position as a dealer - unless one has a real handicraft and can make something with one's own hands, I doubt the soundness of the position. . . . People who possess thought and intelligence, and of course I count you among them and should also like to count myself among them, are the best fitted for handicraft.
To sum up. If you take up painting, you will succeed, and at about your thirtieth year you will have a good position as a painter - anyway, no worse than the one you have now. If you begin to paint, you will certainly not be a mediocrity in the bad sense of the word.
Letter 184
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
As to Cor's education or Mother's support, the money for these two things will not be lacking, even if you become a painter. And as to yourself, your food, drink, sleep, your studio, your model…they are not far off; if the thought of painting should be aroused in you, you would see that it can be done.
But so that you won't suspect me of overlooking the financial end, I should like to say - though with all respect for your present position as a dealer - unless one has a real handicraft and can make something with one's own hands, I doubt the soundness of the position. . . . People who possess thought and intelligence, and of course I count you among them and should also like to count myself among them, are the best fitted for handicraft.
To sum up. If you take up painting, you will succeed, and at about your thirtieth year you will have a good position as a painter - anyway, no worse than the one you have now. If you begin to paint, you will certainly not be a mediocrity in the bad sense of the word.
Letter 184
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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