Not the slightest pretension to perfection
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, 5-6 June 1883
I suppose you will take Father's words in the same way of your own accord, so that I'm not telling you anything new, but I should be glad if, with a little good will, peace might be preserved. Last winter Father was nearly as much opposed to my living with the woman as he is in your case now, yet he sent me a warm woman's coat “I might have some use for,” not precisely indicating for what, but obviously with the thought, “Perhaps she is suffering from the cold.” Well, you see that is the right thing, and for one such deed I would endure a whole shower of words with pleasure.
For neither do I myself belong among those people who always use the right words - such people would be perfect - and I haven't the slightest pretension to perfection.
Letter 291
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
I suppose you will take Father's words in the same way of your own accord, so that I'm not telling you anything new, but I should be glad if, with a little good will, peace might be preserved. Last winter Father was nearly as much opposed to my living with the woman as he is in your case now, yet he sent me a warm woman's coat “I might have some use for,” not precisely indicating for what, but obviously with the thought, “Perhaps she is suffering from the cold.” Well, you see that is the right thing, and for one such deed I would endure a whole shower of words with pleasure.
For neither do I myself belong among those people who always use the right words - such people would be perfect - and I haven't the slightest pretension to perfection.
Letter 291
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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