What one sees on the street every day
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, 1 November 1882
The answer that many a painter here in Holland gives to the question “What is a wood engraving?” is, “They are those things you find in the South Holland Café.”
So they class them with the drinks. And those who make them, perhaps with the drunkards.
And what do the dealers say? Suppose I took a hundred sketches which I happen to have collected to any dealer here; I fear that the only answer I should get would be, “Did you really expect these things to have any market value?”
My love and respect for the great draughtsmen, those of Gavarni's time as well as those of the present, increases the more I come to know their work, and especially since I myself try to make something of what one sees on the street every day.
Letter 240
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
The answer that many a painter here in Holland gives to the question “What is a wood engraving?” is, “They are those things you find in the South Holland Café.”
So they class them with the drinks. And those who make them, perhaps with the drunkards.
And what do the dealers say? Suppose I took a hundred sketches which I happen to have collected to any dealer here; I fear that the only answer I should get would be, “Did you really expect these things to have any market value?”
My love and respect for the great draughtsmen, those of Gavarni's time as well as those of the present, increases the more I come to know their work, and especially since I myself try to make something of what one sees on the street every day.
Letter 240
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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