My goal is the more severe and virile things
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, 20 August 1882
I see a change in these painted things, and I am writing you about it because you can tell better than I how it may affect the eventual saleability. At all events it seems to me that the painted studies have a more pleasant aspect than my drawings.
Personally, I attach less value to the more pleasant, less meager effect; my goal is the expression of more severe and virile things, for which I still have to drudge a great deal.
But if you said, Work on those landscapes or woods scenes or marines, I would have nothing against it, as it would not prevent my attempting larger or more serious things. I should only want the assurance that they are worth the brushes, the paint and the canvas.
Letter 227
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
I see a change in these painted things, and I am writing you about it because you can tell better than I how it may affect the eventual saleability. At all events it seems to me that the painted studies have a more pleasant aspect than my drawings.
Personally, I attach less value to the more pleasant, less meager effect; my goal is the expression of more severe and virile things, for which I still have to drudge a great deal.
But if you said, Work on those landscapes or woods scenes or marines, I would have nothing against it, as it would not prevent my attempting larger or more serious things. I should only want the assurance that they are worth the brushes, the paint and the canvas.
Letter 227
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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