A little wisp of smoke

Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from The Hague, 2-3 December 1882

With me, at least, it is such that whenever I learn more about the life and works of people like Schuler, Lançon, Renouard and so many others, I perceive that what is seen of them is only a little wisp of smoke coming out of their chimneys, and that within their hearts and studios there is a big blaze. It is the same with an artist's illustration work as it is with a little church spire in the distance, it looks small and insignificant, but when one gets nearer, it proves to be quite an imposing edifice - I mean, only a small part of their work comes before the public.

Well, some pictures make a big splash in their enormous frames, and later one is astonished because they leave such an empty, unsatisfied feeling; in contrast to this, some simple wood engraving or lithograph or etching is sometimes overlooked, but one comes back to it and becomes more and more attached to it, and feels something grand in it.

Letter 250
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what