The "nature of things"
Vincent van Gogh to Anthon van Rappard, from The Hague, c.25-30 January 1883
Don't you think there is something very dull about our times? Or am I imagining it? A certain absence of passion and warmth and cordiality - it's true that the “dealers” and such fellows say, "The desired change will come about in the nature of things" (isn't this statement highly satisfactory?), but personally I don't see that “nature of things” so very clearly.
It isn't unpleasant, after all, to study the "Graphics"; yet I can't help thinking very selfishly while doing so, "What business is it of mine? I don't intend to be bored, even if the times are dull." But one isn't always selfish, and as soon as one isn't, one may grieve bitterly over it.
Letter R24
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
Don't you think there is something very dull about our times? Or am I imagining it? A certain absence of passion and warmth and cordiality - it's true that the “dealers” and such fellows say, "The desired change will come about in the nature of things" (isn't this statement highly satisfactory?), but personally I don't see that “nature of things” so very clearly.
It isn't unpleasant, after all, to study the "Graphics"; yet I can't help thinking very selfishly while doing so, "What business is it of mine? I don't intend to be bored, even if the times are dull." But one isn't always selfish, and as soon as one isn't, one may grieve bitterly over it.
Letter R24
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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