The dignity of their calling
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, 3-5 December 1882
Indeed, in the field of landscape painting enormous gaps are beginning to show themselves, and I should like to apply Herkomer's words to it: the interpreters allow their cleverness to mar the dignity of their calling. And I believe the public will begin to say: deliver us from artistic compositions, give us back the simple field.
How much good it does one to see a beautiful Rousseau on which he has drudged to keep it true and honest. . . .
Do I want them back or do I want people to imitate them? No, but I want the honesty, the naivete, the truth, to remain. . . .
The real thing is not an absolute copy of nature, but to know nature so well that what one makes is fresh and true - that is what so many lack.
Letter 251
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
Indeed, in the field of landscape painting enormous gaps are beginning to show themselves, and I should like to apply Herkomer's words to it: the interpreters allow their cleverness to mar the dignity of their calling. And I believe the public will begin to say: deliver us from artistic compositions, give us back the simple field.
How much good it does one to see a beautiful Rousseau on which he has drudged to keep it true and honest. . . .
Do I want them back or do I want people to imitate them? No, but I want the honesty, the naivete, the truth, to remain. . . .
The real thing is not an absolute copy of nature, but to know nature so well that what one makes is fresh and true - that is what so many lack.
Letter 251
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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