I prefer people's eyes to cathedrals

Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from Antwerp, c. 19 December 1884

I showed my view of “Het Steen” to another dealer, who liked its tone and color, but he was too engrossed in making up his inventory, and besides, he has little room, but he asked me to come back after New Year's. It is just the thing for foreigners who want to have a souvenir of Antwerp, and for that reason I shall make even more city views of that kind.

So yesterday I made a few drawings of a spot with a view of the Cathedral. I also made a little one of the Park.

But I prefer painting people's eyes to cathedrals, for there is something in the eyes that is not in the cathedral, however solemn and imposing the latter may be - a human soul, be it that of a poor beggar or of a streetwalker, is more interesting to me.

Letter 441
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
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