Your conscience as an artist

Vincent van Gogh to Anthon van Rappard, from The Hague, 16 November 1882

I want to speak to you about your "big decoration" and "menu," and I will say only this, Old fellow, you'd better do something else; it's dangerous navigation. You know where you begin, but you don't know whether you'll have the power to stop. Once you have got the reputation of being able to do something for "festive occasions," there will never be a "festive occasion" without your being the victim. . . . This is the time for campaigning; at least a time when a campaign can be undertaken. . . .

The more you make menus and decorations for festive occasions - however nice or well done they may be - the less you will remain at peace with your conscience as an artist. And the more you devote yourself to serious toiling and moiling, the more you will feel that though this toiling and moiling may not score an immediate success, it has its raison d'etre.

Letter R19
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
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