On the brink of a mental revolution

Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from Nuenen, 2 January 1884

Until late in life one may have, surely as an artist no less than as a "human being" - until late in life one may have a certain stiff, rigid, let's say iron-like way of doing things, and of looking at things, and of working, too - but for all that one may gain, later on in life, gentler, more intelligent, more reasonable, more humane views.

I only want to point out that it is quite possible that as a human being and as a workman you will acquire more of nature, more tranquility, that you will get to be more "your own self." I want to point out that now and then I do think you unnatural. At present this means nothing - and I don't in any way look upon this as your fixed and unchangeable character or state of mind, but as a curious phenomenon. Which I observe with interest and attention for the very reason that I myself have known moments of this state of mind just at a time when I was on the brink of a mental revolution. Ah, well…

Letter 351
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
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