Studying nature and wrestling with it
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, c. 10 October 1882
I had a model for a few hours today, a boy with a spade, hod-carrier by trade, a very intriguing type - flat nose, thick lips and very coarse, straight hair - yet whenever he does something, there is grace in the figure, at least style and -character. I think I shall have some good models this winter; the owner of the yard has promised to send me the ones who come to ask for work, which often happens in the slack season. I am always glad to give them a few sixpences for an afternoon or morning, for that is just what I want. I see no other way than to work from the model. Of course one must not extinguish one's power of imagination, but the imagination is made sharper and more correct by continually studying nature and wrestling with it.
Letter 238
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
I had a model for a few hours today, a boy with a spade, hod-carrier by trade, a very intriguing type - flat nose, thick lips and very coarse, straight hair - yet whenever he does something, there is grace in the figure, at least style and -character. I think I shall have some good models this winter; the owner of the yard has promised to send me the ones who come to ask for work, which often happens in the slack season. I am always glad to give them a few sixpences for an afternoon or morning, for that is just what I want. I see no other way than to work from the model. Of course one must not extinguish one's power of imagination, but the imagination is made sharper and more correct by continually studying nature and wrestling with it.
Letter 238
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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