Yield to what is directly before one
Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from Nuenen, c. 18-23 February 1884
The poet Francois Coppee is one of the true artists - “who put their skin in it” - which is evident from more than one poignant confession. Artist the more because he finds his inspiration in so many very diverse things, and can paint a third-class waiting room full of emigrants who are spending the night there - everything gray and gloomy and melancholy - and in another mood he can draw a little marquise dancing a minuet, as elegant as a little figure by Watteau.
That losing oneself in the present - that being quite carried away and inspired by the surroundings in which one chances to be - how can one help it? And even if one should resist it at will, of what use would it be, why shouldn't one yield to what is directly before one, this being apres tout, the surest way to create something.
Letter 357
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
The poet Francois Coppee is one of the true artists - “who put their skin in it” - which is evident from more than one poignant confession. Artist the more because he finds his inspiration in so many very diverse things, and can paint a third-class waiting room full of emigrants who are spending the night there - everything gray and gloomy and melancholy - and in another mood he can draw a little marquise dancing a minuet, as elegant as a little figure by Watteau.
That losing oneself in the present - that being quite carried away and inspired by the surroundings in which one chances to be - how can one help it? And even if one should resist it at will, of what use would it be, why shouldn't one yield to what is directly before one, this being apres tout, the surest way to create something.
Letter 357
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
Back to The Way of Vincent: Making art no matter what
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