Art has no worse enemies
Vincent van Gogh to Anthon van Rappard, from The Hague, 1 November 1882
I abhor words like “pleasing” and “saleable” - they are as bad as the plague - yet I've never met a dealer who wasn't saturated with them. Art has no worse enemies, despite the fact that the managers of the big art-dealing establishments reputedly deserve high praise for their protection of artists.
They don't do the right thing - yet because the public turns to them and not to the artists themselves, the latter are forced to turn to them too - but there isn't a single artist who does not resent them, openly or secretly. They flatter the public, encouraging its worst, most barbaric inclinations and taste. But enough of this! The conclusion that you and I should draw is, Draw austerely, be serious, be honest.
Letter R17
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
I abhor words like “pleasing” and “saleable” - they are as bad as the plague - yet I've never met a dealer who wasn't saturated with them. Art has no worse enemies, despite the fact that the managers of the big art-dealing establishments reputedly deserve high praise for their protection of artists.
They don't do the right thing - yet because the public turns to them and not to the artists themselves, the latter are forced to turn to them too - but there isn't a single artist who does not resent them, openly or secretly. They flatter the public, encouraging its worst, most barbaric inclinations and taste. But enough of this! The conclusion that you and I should draw is, Draw austerely, be serious, be honest.
Letter R17
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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