I like to look things in the face
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, 12 or 13 May 1882
I like to look things in the face, whether adversity or prosperity. I have your answer on the problem of Mauve and Tersteeg, not on the other one. That is something quite apart - there is a barrier between artistic and personal matters - but it is right to settle how we look at those things beforehand.
And therefore I say to you:
Theo, I intend to marry this woman, to whom I am attached and who is attached to me. If unfortunately this should bring about a change in your feeling toward me, I hope you will not withdraw your help without giving me warning some time in advance, and that you will always tell me frankly and openly what you think. Of course, I hope that your help and sympathy will in no way be withdrawn, but that we shall continue to join hands like brothers, notwithstanding things which the “world” opposes.
Letter 197
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
I like to look things in the face, whether adversity or prosperity. I have your answer on the problem of Mauve and Tersteeg, not on the other one. That is something quite apart - there is a barrier between artistic and personal matters - but it is right to settle how we look at those things beforehand.
And therefore I say to you:
Theo, I intend to marry this woman, to whom I am attached and who is attached to me. If unfortunately this should bring about a change in your feeling toward me, I hope you will not withdraw your help without giving me warning some time in advance, and that you will always tell me frankly and openly what you think. Of course, I hope that your help and sympathy will in no way be withdrawn, but that we shall continue to join hands like brothers, notwithstanding things which the “world” opposes.
Letter 197
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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