Jan Toorop and the year 1892

by Robert Siebelhoff the attention of public and artists. Even though (1858-1928) is to be re­ For some time now it has been accepted that garded as one of the most important Dutch artists 1892 is the decisive year in the development toward between and Mondriaan, virtually noth­ Nieuwe Kunst, the peculiar Dutch variant of Art ing has been published on him outside of the Dutch Nouveau or in which Symbolist elements language. It is equally certain that this part Dutch­ are predominant.[3] man, part Javanese was most inventive and influen­ During this year a changing of guards took place tial during the last decade of the nineteenth century. in the main centres of and . One is reminded of the series of magnificent Symbol­ Particularly in the latter city, the increasing con­ ist drawings now largely divided between the print­ flicts between the younger members of the Haagsche rooms of Amsterdam, The Hague and the Krc)ller­ Kunstkring and the older artists of Pulchri Stu­ Muller Museum. Among these The Three Brides, dio reached a climax. Although artists were often primarily conceived and executed during 1892, is members of both societies, was the best known.[l] bulwark of the older Impressionists In April of 1890 Toorop had returned from Brus­ among whom Jozef Israels, and the sels after an absence of eight years and he and his three Maris brothers are best known. young British wife [2] settled in the isolated fish­ In the previous decade writers of the Tachtigers ing village of aan Zee to the west of Lei­ group had set the example for a renewal in po­ den. There followed a period of quiet, steady work etry. They included: Lodewijk van Deyssel, Fred­ and budding friendships with artists and writers re­ erik van Eeden, , and sulting in a vivid exchange of ideas. All the while . At this point the young Henriette Toorop voiced the aims of Les Vingt among his com­ van der Schalk should be regarded as a pupil of patriots, for in he had become (in 1884) Verwey. Now the young artists and these writers the only Dutch member of this influential society increasingly befriended and influenced each other. and one of only three foreign members, the others This is shown by the friendship developing between being Rodin and Signac. Through its annual exhi­ the poet Albert Verwey and Toorop. Such links bitions Les Vingt had become the most important of mutual influence had not existed before. Dur­ centre of modern European and American art of the ing 1892 the young artists and writers for the first time. Among its members defended a time closed their ranks in a concentrated efforts national Belgian Style, while Theo van Rysselberghe to give a new direction to the artistic life of the and his friend Emile Ver haeren placed an increasing country. Besides Toorop, the principal artists of emphasis on young French artists. Georges Lemmen the Nieuwe Kunst are Antoon Derkinderen, Richard and Henry van de Velde renewed the applied arts Roland Holst and . Jan Veth under the influence of English examples. Notwith­ was perhaps more important as a writer and critic standing such differences of attitude, close ties of than as an artist. , Jacob friendship existed between the members of Les Vingt van Looy and belong to the group of and Toorop and the latter was intent on propagating young Amsterdam painters. their ideas in the . Returning to Jan Toorop's own specific efforts, The year 1892 saw Toorop's first concentrated ef­ three events in 1892 must be singled out: the exhi­ forts in this direction. Chosen President of the First bitions of van Gogh in May-J une and of Les Section (Fine Arts) of the Haagsche Kunstkring in Vingt and the Association pour l'art in July-August December of 1891, he hoped to make this newly (both were organized by Toorop himself) and finally founded society the focal point for the Nieuw Kunst. the visit of Paul Verlaine during the first weeks of He therefore proposed a series of exhibitions to draw November in which Toorop had a large stake. All

72 Canadian Journal of NetherlandicStudies 73 three occasions brought young artists and writers better known early twentieth centUry Dutch contributions to together in an unusually close relationship. modern art, primarily De Sujl, cannot be understood. Until now Toorop's organization of the first Van [4] Once before Les Vingt had exhibited in the Netherlands: Gogh exhibition has attracted relatively little at­ "Tentoonstdling Van de "Societe des XX"" of Brussels in tention. Even now the 45 and 44 draw­ the Panorama. Gebouw at Amsterdam during May-June of ings he had chosen have not been properly identi­ 1889. Toorop and Guilla.ume Vogels had been charged with its organization. See also Robert Siebelhoft', "Toorop, Van de fied. In newspapers and letters the work of Van Velde, Van Rysselberghe and the The Hague Exhibition of Gogh was juxtaposed with that of Tooropand Thorn 1892", Dud Holland, Vol. 95/No. 2, (1981), pp. 97-107; Prikker and the discussions generated by it greatly / contributed to the new spirit. Only later the exhibi­ / tion at the Haagsche Kunstkring was overshadowed / by a second Van Gogh exhibition which opened its doors at the Amsterdam Panorama Gebouw in De­ Sources: cember of the same year. Much more is known of Toorop's exhibition ofLes The chronology for the year 1892 has been estab­ Vingt and the Association pour Part. It introduced lished with sources whose locations are cited in the to the Dutch public the work of Lucien Pissarro, Re­ following abbreviated form: don, Seurat, Toulouse Lautrec, Henry van de Velde H.K.K. Haagsche Kunstkring (The Hague Art Cir­ and others.[4] The excitement generated by these cle) two exhibitions culminated in the visits of Paul Ver­ laine and Sar Peladan which mobilized the entire K.B. Koninklijke Bibliotheek (Royal Library at young artistic community and, it must be admitted, The Hague) many of its enemies. Verlaine himself has reported in detail about his visit to "Les etats de sa Jeune R.K.D. Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Docu­ Majeste Wilhelmina" in Quinze Jours en Hollande mentatie (The Netherlands Institute of Art His­ - Lettres a un ami (1893). tory at The Hague) The actual unfolding of events in this important T.C. Toorop Collection: year remains largely unrecorded. It thus seemed imperative to present in an organized chronologi­ K.B. T.e. - Toorop Collection at the Royal Li­ cal fashion the historical facts obtained from let­ brary ters, newspaper articles and other documents. The emphasis is on Toorop since during this period he R.K.D. T.C. - Toorop Collection at the R.K.D. must be regarded as the single most important link between the Netherlands, and and 1892 can now be seen as the most important year of his early career. Letters to Jan Toorop all found at the Royal Library in The Hague: George Hendrik Breitner T.C. (C 156) W.M.R. French T.C. (C 156) Footnotes: Georges Lemmen T.C. (C 131) Octave Maus T.C. (C 134) [1] See Robert Siebelhoft', "The three Brides, A drawing by Raymond Nyst T.O. (C 157) Jan Toorop", Nederlands KunsthistoriBch laarboek, xxxvn (1976), pp. 2ll-26I. Richard Roland Holst T.C. (C 142) Theo van Rysselberghe T.C. (C 144) [2] Annie Josephine Hall was born in 1860 at Sligo, Ireland, Henriette van der Schalk 'r.C. (C 140) of Scottish parents. She grew up at Croydon near London. Toorop's mother Maria Magdalena Cook was also of British Henry van de Velde T.C. (C 148) descent. The extensive contacts of Toorop with the British Albert Verwey T.C. (C 151) Isles still remain to be explored. He was befriended with Jan Veth T.C. (C 152) Whistler and actively supported his membership of Les Vingt. Willem Witsen T.C. (C 155) This did not succeed. Toorop also knew Alma Tadema and Correspondence between Jan Toorop and was in contact with members of the circle around Willia.m Morris. Annie Toorop-Hall T.C. (C 80) [3] Without an appreciation of the Nieuwe Kunst, the so much 74 Canadian JOfJ.mal 0/ Netherlo.ndic Studies

. Letters by Jan Toorop in different The Hague, May 16 - June 6, Werken van Vin­ public and private collections: cent van Gogh, H.K.K.; 45 paintings, 44 drawings. This first Van Gogh exhib. was or­ . - Van Eeden Archief ganized by Toorop. (T.3707-56) , May 20 - June 12, Schilderijen van Mevrouw Johanna G. van Gogh-Bonger Nederlandsche Meesters, organized by the Haarlem soCiety "Kunst zij ODS doel". L. de Haas - The Hague, Gemeente Archief, Toorop Collection , May 29 -July 3, L'Association pour l'Art, 3 paintings, 2 drawings. Hendrik van Steenwijk - R.K.D. T.C. (18) Amsterdam, June 26 - July, Keuze-tentoon­ Willem Witsen - K.B. (75c51) stelling van Hedendaagsche N ederland­ sche Kunst, , Nos. 122- 123b, 2 paintings, 2 drawings. The Hague, July 15 - Aug. 14, Schilderijen en Letters about Jan Toorop Teekeningen van eenigen uit de "XX" en uit de "Association pour I'Art", H.K.K., Henri Borel to Miss K. Gripekove 5 Belgian. and 5 French artists. - The Hague, Gemeente Archief (Collection Toorop arranges this exhib., but does not take Bremmer) part himself. He contributes the cover of the Antoon Derkinderen to Willem Witsen exhibition catalogue, lithograph. -K.B. The Hague, Sept. 24 - Oct. 9, Aquarellen en Teekeningen van Werkende Leden van de Haagsche Kunstkring, Nos. 75 - 84, paint­ ings and drawings. List of Exhibitions for 1892 in which Toorop took part: Chronological order New York, Jan.-Feb., exact location remains un­ known, Nos. 265 and 266, entries unknown. Brussels, Feb. 6 - March, Les Vingt, 9 entries, paintings and drawings. Chicago, after Feb. 16 - March, Chicago Art Institute Exhibition, 2 entries, unknown, see New York. , March 10 - April 10, Salon de la Rose+- Croix, Nos. 175 and 176, paintings. . Paris, March 19 - April 27, Societe des Artistes Independants, No. 1166, . Figure 1: Jan Toorop, Les ROdeurs, pencil and , March 21 - April 10, Cercle Artistique . et Litteraire de Gand, No. of entries un­ chalk (colour), before May 1892. Otterlo, Rijksmu­ seum Kroller-Muller. known.

Antwerp, April- May, Exhibit.ion of de Ne~­ erlandsche Etsc1ub, No. of entries unknown, see Ghent. Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies 75

December 1891 Brussels (Les Vingt), what do you ad.. vise?" (Reeser, I, p. 316 and p. 319). 14 Mon. Lodewijk van Deyssel (Bergen-op-Zoom) writes to Ary Prins (Hamburg) and men­ 15 Fri. Diepenbrock to Derkinderen: "You will tions the Salon de 180 Rose + Croix, Paris. have to exhibit at Peladan's and at Brus­ Toorop nominated President of the First sels as well". Derkinderen did neither of Section H.K.K. (Beeldende Kunsten). the two. Other board members are Th. de Bock, 17 Sun. George Breitlier writes to Toorop (K.B. Floris Verster, Pieter de Josselin de Jong. T.C. C 156): "In the name of the Com­ 18 Fri. Proposal exhibition programme First mittee fof Artistic Matters (Kunstza­ Section H.K.K., among others exhibi­ ken), I send an invitation for an exhibi­ tion Xavier Mellery, exhibition etchings tion of your work in our rooms - Feb. to by Felicien Rops with a discussion by the middle of March or ... April". This Edmond Picard. Toorop is the moving means at Arti et Amicitiae in Amster­ force. dam.

20 Sun. Toorop's birthday, he now is thirty-two. 18 Mon. Toorop () to Albert Ver­ wey (): "We returned home Felix Feneon, "Peintures des Maitres this week. .. During the day I work like Hollandais", L'A rt Moderne, discusses a draughthorse to finish my paintings for the large exhibition of 425 works by 120 the XX". (Nyland-Verwey, p. 27). This contemporary Dutch artists at the Paris means that Toorop and his family re­ Pavillion de 180 ville. It was organized turned from England between 11 and 16 by the Kunstclub and art­ Jan. dealers for the month of Dec. Toorop is not represented. 19 Tues. The Society "Haagsche Kunstkring" ob­ tains Royal Approval. 24 Thurs. Toorop assists with hanging the Christ­ mas exhibition of the H.K.K. at Pulchri 20 Wed. Toorop visits Verwey at Noordwijk. Studio, the H. Dirksen collection of old prints, among others, Durer and Rem­ 24 Sun. Richard Roland Holst (Amsterdam) brandt. writes to Verwey, that this morning he re­ ceived an invitation from Toorop to view the latter's paintings for Les Vingt, on January 1892 Wednesday in Katwijk.

1 Fri. Establishment of the art-dealers's firm of 25 Mon. In the week of 25-30 Jan., Toorop to­ E.J. van Wisselingh and Co. at Amster­ gether with Verwey, plan to view the mu­ dam in the Kalverstraat 194. It is located rals of Derkinderen in the chapel of the close to the art-dealer Frans Buffa en Zo­ Beguinage in Amsterdam. nen. 27 Wed. Visit by Roland Holst and Willem Wit­ 4 Mon. Octave Maus (Brussels) (K.B. T.C. C sen to Toorop's studio in Katwijk. See: 134, No.1) answers on a letter from 25 July. TQorop, the latter to be dated December 1891. Maus is willing to assist in orga.­ 31 Sun. Emile Verhaeren in "La Nation" an­ nizing an exhibition of Les Vingt at the nounces the opening date of Les Vingt H.K.K. Maus advises Toorop to come to for Saturday 6 Feb. Brussels circa 12 Feb. This is actually af­ ter the official opening of the Les Vingt Jan.-Feb. exhibition. New York Exhibition. Toorop exhibits two works, 14 Thurs. Antoon Derkinderen writes to Alphons nos. 265 and 266. After 16 Feb. these works go to Diepenbrock: "And presently I have to an exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago (K.B. concern myself with Peladan. or with T.C., C 156 c-f). 76 Canadian Journal 0/ Netherlandic Studies

. February 1892 21 Sun. Roland Holst, De Amsterdammer dis­ cusses the work of Van Gogh. 6 Sat. Opening of the 9th annual exhibition of Les Vingt in the Musee de la Peinture, 23 Tues. 2:30 p.m., Les Vingt, Deuxieme concert Brussels. Toorop is represented with nine d'oeuvres modernes with works by Cesar works, but is not present at the opening. Franck, Emm. Chabrier, Vincent d'Indy: See: 10 Feb. "Le Chant de la Cloche", "Lenore". Paul Serusier sees Toorop's work at Les Toorop atten,ds this concert as well. Vingt, but the two artists do not meet. Mrs. Anna van der Schalk-van der Hoe­ ven, mother of Henriette van der Schalk, March 1892 visits Les Vingt. 1 Tues. Toorop (Katwijk) writes to Frederik van 7 Sun. L'Art Moderne publishes the circular let­ Eeden (Bussum): "Several weeks ago I ter of the newly founded "Association have been at Bussum, to select the can­ pour l'Art" , Antwerp, which was to be vasses of Van Gogh, which are with Mrs. founded in Feb. van Gogh ... I missed you that evening." Emile Verhaeren, "Le Salon des XX", Toorop writes to Roland Holst as well. Journal de Bruzelles, presents an exten­ Toorop thus has returned from Brussels sive appraisal of Toorop's work. (See: 10 Feb.). 9 Tues. The review "Les XX", II, in La Gazette, 3 Thurs. Roland Holst writes to Toorop, that is lukewarm about Toorop's work. Serusier has been in Amsterdam for 10 Wed. Toorop writes to Verwey from Katwijk. about two weeks, visiting Verkade who He thus has not yet left for Brussels. has returned from Brittany. During this Toorop requests Verwey to. write to him time, they discussed in detail the Salon at the address of the lawyer Henri van de la Rose+Croix, Paris. This has as re­ der Cruyssen, rue des Minimes, Brussels. sult that Derkinderen will not send any The first visit of Toorop to Mrs. van work to La Rose+Croix. Gogh-Bonger at Bussum, must have ta­ Derkinderen had not been invited. ken place before this date. See: 1 March Serusier suggested to Roland Holst, that and 16 May. Toorop send "La Maree Haute" ("De 11 Thurs. R.L., "Le Salon des XX", La Meuse, Vloed") to the Salon of the Societe finds the work of Toorop "fort inegal". des Artistes Independants, Paris. See: 19 March. Serusier has seen this work Toorop does not arrive in Brussels be­ at Les Vingt. fore 11 Feb. He returns to Katwijk before 1 March. Roland Holst also discusses Van Gogh and he asks· Toorop about Les Vingt. 15 Mon. Emile Verhaeren in La Nation discusses Holst writes as well: "This summer I will Toorop's surprising preoccupations and be for about 3 weeks at Noordwijk aan new searches. Zee, the reason of which I will tell you 16 Tues. W.M.R. French, Director of The Art later." Institute of Chicago, requests the two works by Toorop which are in New York 8 Tues. In the evening Toorop writes to Verwey (Nos. 265 and 266) for exhibition (K.B. that on Thursday he will be pleased to re­ T.C. C156 e-f). ceive Henriette van der Schalk and Miss Geertsema. 18 Thurs. 2 p.m., Les Vingt, Premier con­ Raymond Nyst, "Les XX, fin", Le Mou­ cert d'oeuvres modernes with works by 'lIement Litteraire, presents a long ap­ N. Rimsky-Korsakow and A. Glazounow. praisal ofToorop's work. Nyst (Brussels) All compositions are heard for the first writes Toorop. See: 23 Nov. time in Brussels. Toorop is present. 9 Wed. Toorop is in The Hague. Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies 77

Salon de la Rose+Croix, Paris, Roland Holst sends Algemeen Handels­ l'Inauguration du Soir. blad to Toorop. See: 26 March. 10 Tues. For the first time, Notary van der Opening of the exhibition "Nederland­ Schalk takes his daughter Henriette and sche Etsclub" at the Cercle Artistique Miss Geertsema to Toorop's studio at et Litteraire .de Gand, until 10 April. Katwijk. A few days before they had vis­ Toorop shows work at Ghent. ited Verwey at Noordwijk. The young women obviously awaited Toorop's re­ 28 Mon. Birthday of ~nnie Hall, Toorop's Wife. turn from Brussels. She is thirtf~two years of age. Like the poet Verwey, Henriette van Meeting Iof the First Section H.K.K. der Schalk is to become an important Toorop resigns from the presidency. It is source of inspiration for Toorop's Sym­ decided that the exhibition of Les Vingt bolist work. will be opened toward the end of June. Henry van de Velde will speak. Salon de la Rose+Croix,Pai'is, opens to the public, until 10 April. Toorop remains in charge of the Van Gogh exhibition and the Les Vingt ex­ 13 Sun. The review "Les XX", in L 'Art Moderne, hibition. lists four works by Toorop which are sold. Roland Holst writes to Toorop, thank­ Jan Veth, "Salon de la Rose+Croix", ing Toorop for his letter. Holst sends De Amsterdammer, writes that Toorop Toorop a photograph of his crayon shows three works. He actually exhibits drawing "Veldprediking" (1). He an­ only two. nounces the opening date of the "Keuze­ tentoonstelling", Amsterdam, and in­ 18 Fri. Felix Feneon, Le Chat Noir, discusses vites Toorop for lunch on that day. Holst Toorop's "L'Hetaire". inquires about the Van Gogh exhibition 19 Sat. Opening Salon de Societe des Artistes and asks Toorop to introduce him in Independants, Paris, Toorop shows two Pulchri Studio at the opening. Holst seascapes. See: 3 March. also mentions Toorop's move away from Katwijk. 24 Thurs. Birthday of Toorop's daughter Charley, she is one year old. March 1892 The Affiches Parisiennes announce the legal break between Comte de la Jenny Kamerlingh Onnes, "Floris Ver­ Rochefoucauld and .Peladan. ster-Plakboek", R.K.D., "To Verster Toorop is the only new (experience) which pushes the chap for­ 25 Fri. About this time the correspondence be­ ward. Verster is often very depressed." tween Toorop and Henry van de Velde This year Toorop introduces Bremmer to Verster. begins. Toorop's letters have not been See: 27 Oct. preserved. 26 Sat. Algemeen Handelsblad discusses Toorop's April 1892 "La Maree Haute" at the Salon of the Societe des Artistes Independants, Paris. 3 Sun. Second general exhibition of members, See: 27 March. H.K.K., until 17 April. Toorop does not exhibit. 27 Sun. Pol de Mont, Algemeen Handelsblad, ,writes extensively about Les Vingt and De A 1nsteroammer reports Toorop's res­ states that the members of Les Vingt will ignation from the presidency of the First open a gallery at Amsterdam in the near Section H.K.K. future. Henry van de Velde, De Nieuwe Gidl Verwey and Henriette van der Schalk er­ discusses the development of modern . roneously assume that Toorop is in touch art criticism in Holland. Se lDc1ud... with Pol de Mont. See: 6 June,. Jan Veth's discussiollfl of 'roozop!..... 78 Canadian Journal 0/ Netherlandic Studie,

which appeared in De Nieuwe Gids of Nyst asks Toorop for articles by Dutch August 1891. authors for the Mou'llement Litteraire. They must have discussed this in Brus­ Henry van de Velde, L'Art Mod­ sels. Nyst also asks Toorop about , erne, publishes a translation of Jan Sumatra and Borneo. Veth's article about Toorop's "Melan­ colie" . It had been written on the Did Miss van der Schalk and her mother occasion of the "Utrechtse Invitatie­ visit Toorop's Katwijk studio? Dr. Mea tentoonstelling", 1891, the first Dutch Nyland-Verwey believes that Henriette exhibition in which Toorop took part begins the/ Toorop-Sonnets on this day; after his return from Belgium. See: no. VII "'Oude Dromers" is dated April 12 May. 1892. Two days after Toorop· receives the 6 Wed. First performance of Verwey's "De Jo­ Toorop-Sonnets from Miss van der den", Tableaux vivants, at Pulchri Stu­ Schalk, he writes her a highly spirited let­ dio, The Hague, 6, 7, 13 April. Toorop, ter, which, however, is never sent (K.B. Roland Holst, Henriette van der Schalk, T.C. C93(2)). Instead Toorop thanks Marius Bauer, etc. are present. Henriette personally. 10 Sun. Salon de la Rose+Croix, Paris, closes. Letter of Toorop to Max Elskamp, dated "Nederlandsche Etsclub" at the Cercle Katwijk, April, 1892, in which the artist Artistique et Litteraire de Gand closes. compares the artistic situation of Hol­ land and Belgium (Brussels, Musee de la 11 Mon. Robert Stellwagen, pseudonym W. van litterature, Royal Library, no catalogue Tricht, registers at The Hague arriv­ number). ing from Hoboken, New York. On 21 The exhibition of the Nederlandsche May and 6 June, he writes in De Porte­ Etsclub, Antwerp, takes place during /euille about "De Kunst in Amerika. Het April and May. Metropolitan Art Museum in New York." He is a great admirer of the of Toorop and of Thorn Prikker and he attacks the older conservative artists of May 1892 The Hague. 1 Sun. The Second Section of the H.K.K. is Stellwagen will become a member of the established-Architecture and Art In­ circle of Bremmer, Thorn Prikker and dustry. The H.K.K. rents a second floor Borel at Leiden. above Cafe Riche, Buitenhof. It now be­ comes possible to arrange two exhibitions 24 Sun. Toorop is already very occupied with his at the same time. move from Katwijk to Loosduinen near Henry van de Velde, L'Art Moderne, The Hague. praises Toorop's work at the Nederland­ Henriette van der Schalk asks if she may sche Etsclub exhibition, Antwerp. He visit Toorop, with her mother, at his particularly admires "Vieux Jardin des Katwijk studio, before he moves. Souffrances" .

27 Wed. Salon of the Societe des Artistes 2 Mon. Jan Veth (Bussum) writes to Toorop, ex­ Independants Paris closes. plaining that he will not take part in the exhibition of the Association pour PArt, Letter from Raymond Nyst (Brussels) to Toorop: thanking Toorop for his Antwerp, for he has nothing ready. letter. Nyst writes that Comte de Veth tells Toorop to draw the attention la Rochefoucauld .had wished to buy of Van de Velde to the English magazine Toorop's "Generation Nouvelle" at the The Dial. Salon de ·la Rose+Croix, where it had a great success. Rochefoucauld will send 12 Thurs. Registration of the departure of the Toorop's canvasses directly to Antwerp. Toorop family from Katwijk. They had Canadian Journal 0/ Netherlandic Studies 79

lived there since 22 April, 1890, when The exhibition catalogue contains they arrived from near Brussels. Henriette van de Schalk's sonnet "Oude The Toorops settle at Villa Libau, Dromers", April 1892. Beeklaan, Loosduinen, a suburb of The Henriette van der Schalk writes most of Hague. They will stay there until April the Toorop-Sonnets during May, except 1895. for "Oude Dromers". See: 27 April.

16 Mon. or 17 Tues. Opening of the first Van Gogh exhibition at the H.K.K.; shown June 1892 are forty-five paintings, forty-four draw­ / ings and one lithograph. Present are, 1 Wed. L'Art Moderne, reports about the among others, Mrs. Van Gogh-Bonger L'Association pour l'Art exhibition, and Jozef Isra.els. The exhibition is orga­ Antwerp. nized by Toorop. See: 10 Feb. 5 Sun. L'Art Moderne, "L'Association pour Roland Holst cannot attend the open­ l'Art, Antwerp", pp. 177-179. It con­ ing, because of serious illness of his fa­ tains an extensive discussion of Tootop's ther. Toorop has sent him a telegram entries which are well received. and a postcard. Roland Holst con­ gratulates Toorop with his success at 6 Mon. Pol de Mont haS written to Henriette the Nederlandsche Etsclub exhibitions in van der Schalk. She writes to Verwey Ghent and Antwerp. He inquires about (Haarlem) and is embarrassed that De Toorop's new address. Mont knows of the Toorop-Sonnets. Ver­ wey immediately writes to Toorop (6 or / The H.K.K. presents an exhibition of 7 June) asking him to return the sonnets. etchings by foreign artists during the Van See: 27 March. Gogh exhibition. Verwey has seen Toorop's work at the 19 Thurs. Opening of the Keuze-tentoonstelling, Keuze-tentoonstelling, Haarlem. See: 19 Haarlem, until 12 June. Toorop exhibits May. two paintings. Theo van Rysselberghe (Brussels) writes Verwey will visit this exhibition between to Toorop and thanks him for the post­ 29 May and 4 June. card with invitation to take part in the H.K.K. exhibition. He, however, does 21 Sat. W. van Tricht, "The Van Gogh exhi­ not know any details as yet. See: 15 July. bition at the H.K.K." De Porte/euille. Van Rysselberghe has just returned from He praises Toorop highly for its arrange­ a long journey through the South of ment. It is not clear if the two men know France with . He hopes to each other personally. See: 11 April. visit Toorop in the autumn in Holland. 28 Sat. Jan· Kalff Jr., De Porte/euille, gives an Before 6 June Toorop has written to account of the Salon de la Rose+Croix, Dario de Reygoyos (Paris) inviting him Paris. Toorop is not mentioned. to take part in the H.K.K. exhibition.

29 Sun. Opening of the first exhibition 7 Tues. Georges Lemmen (Brussels) writes to L'Association pour l'Art, Antwerp, un­ Toorop. The letter is undated, but must til 3 July. It is arranged by Henry van de have been written approximately this Velde and Max Elskamp. Toorop's friend date. See: 10 June. Georges Lemmen exhibits his collection Lemmen, who assisted in organizing the of Japanese prints there. L'Association pour l'Art exhibition is Toorop has provided Van de Velde with highly pleased with the results. information and contacts of the Dutch Lemmen is impressed by Toorop's new participants. Toorop is listed under the Symbolist drawings. He regards the , he thus is separated . Antwerp public to be much less open­ from the Dutch as well as the Belgians. minded than that at The Hague. This 80 Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studie,

letter must have incited Toorop to visit Holst, Thorn Prikker, Toorop, Veth,· Antwerp. See: 27 June. Witsen and others. Toorop exhibits four works. S Wed. Toorop writes to Verwey (Haarlem) and denies ever having spoken to De Mont At the opening Van Wisselingh buys the about the Toorop-Sonnets. He sends the "Garden of Sorrows" . sonnets to Verwey. See: 6 June. Van Eeden (Bussum) writes to Toorop 10 Fri. Roland Holst (Laren) writes to Toorop between 26 June and 14 July. He wishes and returns the letter from Lemmen to acquire ."Les ROdeurs". Toorop is very which Toorop has sent him. See: 7 June. pleased with this. After the exhibition Toorop wishes to make changes in both Holst accepts Toorop's invitation to visit drawings, the "Garden of Sorrows" and Antwerp. He urges Toorop to send "Les ROdeurs". Toorop also hopes to "Generation Nouvelle" to the Keuze­ make a larger version of "Les ROcleurs". tentoonstelling, Amsterdam. See: 26 See: 25 July. June. Holst also suggests that Toorop ar­ 27 Mon. At some time after this date but before 3 ranges the exhibition of Les Vingt at the July (closure of the exhibition Pour l'Art, H.K.K .. See: 15 July. Antwerp), Toorop and Roland Holst visit Antwerp. They stay for approximately 12 Sun. Keuze-tentoonstelling, Haarlem, closes. four days. See: 10 June.

13 Mon. Roland Holst writes to Toorop regarding 29 Wed. Notary Van der Schalk and his daughter the trip to Antwerp. Exact contents of Marietje, father and sister of Henriette, his letter is not known. drown in the Galgewater at Leiden. This terrible accident causes widespread sor­ Henriette van der Schalk visits Toorop's row among the artistic community of studio at Loosduinen for the first time. Holland. "She enjoyed it very much".

20 Mon. Van Rysselberghe (Brussels) writes to The Danish painter Johan Gud~n Rohde visits Toorop: He intends to stay in Brussels Holland in April and again in June. He shows a great during the summer and looks forward to interest in the Van Gogh exhibition, The Hague, and Toorop's visit to Brussels in the winter. acquires "Paysage montagneux" (F 611, h 609). See: 16 May. Did Toorop and Rohde meet? Dario de Reygoyos (Paris) has given some "eaux fortes" for the H.K.K. exhi­ bition to Van Rysselberghe. July 1892 (Louvain) has lost the invitation and all the papers, but he 1 Fri. or 2 Sat. Verwey writes to Toorop about intends to take part in the exhibition. the accident of Notary Van der Schalk. Van Rysselberghe urges Toorop to send Henriette had requested this. Toorop is to Meunier the papers once more. See: probably still in Antwerp. See: 27 June. 6 June. 2 Sat. Burial of Notary Van der Schalk and his Alexandre Charpentier (Paris) hopes to daughter at Noordwijk. Toorop is not visit Toorop soon. present. He apparently does not hear of 26 Sun. Keuze-tentoonstelling opens in the rooms it in time. 'I of the Societeit Arti et Amicitiae, Ams­ 3 Sun. The first exhibition of L'Association pour terdam. The exhibition is organised to I l'Art, Antwerp, closes. celebrate the Lustrum festivities of the III University of Amsterdam. At the open­ R.L. Berckenhoff, Nieuwe Rotterdam,che ing are present: Breitner, Derkinderen, Oourant, criticizes Toorop's work at the Van Eeden, Mrs. Van Gogh-Bonger, Keuze-tentoonstelling, Amsterdam. He II Isaac Israels, Jac. van LQ9Y, Roland prefers the paintings by Van Gogh. I' Canadian Journal af Netherlandic Studies 81

4 Mon. Leo Simons, Haarlemsche Courant, June. Toorop has promised Henriette a praises the work of both Van Gogh and drawing. Toorop discovers that the Ver­ Toorop in Amsterdam. weys are not at home. 8 Fri. Second letter of Henry van de Velde to See: 10 July. Toorop. It is sent via Max Elskamp and 15 Fri. The exhibition 'Paintings and Drawings lists crates with works of art to be sent by some artists of the "XX" and the from Antwerp for the H.K.K. exhibition. "Association four l'Art"', opens at the Toorop had asked Van de Velde to take H.K.K.-U )1114 Aug. immediate action. Il Toorop w,rites· a third letter to Van de See: 25 and 28 March. Velde, b~tween 15 and 19 July and re­ Verwey writes to Toorop asking to send ports about the success of the H.K.K. ex­ the Toorop-Sonnets to him at Amers­ hibition. foort. Toorop has had the sonnets in his 16 Sat. Jasz., De Portefeuille, prefers Van Gogh possession for more than a month. to Thorn Prikker and Toorop at the 9 Sat. Third letter of Henry van de Velde to Keuze-tentoonstelling, Amsterdam. Toorop states that on Monday (11 JUly) Verwey returns from Amersfoort to a group of crates will leave Antwerp for Haarlem. See: 9 July. The Hague. Reports that Lemmen is in London. See: 8 July. 17 Sun. "Petite chronique", L 'A rt Moderne, no 39, 231, announces the exhibition of "Les Verwey leaves Haarlem for Amersfoort XX" and "L'Association pour PArt" at to visit Herman Gorter and Alphons The Hague. Diepenbrock. 18 Mon. Henriette vand der Schalk writes to Ver­ 10 Sun. Etha Fles, Algemeen Handelsblad, ad­ wey (Haarlem), about Toorop's visit on mires the new Symbolists of Holland: 14 July. She enjoyed it very much. Thorn Prikker, Toorop, Derkinderen. Toorop has given her Verlaine's "Bon­ She does not mention Van Gogh. heur". Toorop is very occupied with ex­ At some time between 9 and 13 July hibitions and finds considerable opposi­ Toorop goes to Noordwijk to visit tion from Victor de Stuers and Loffelt. Henriette van der Schalk and Verwey. The latter attacks the H.K.K. exhibition. Neither are at home. See: 15 July. Miss van der Schalk: "I am glad that Van 11 Mon. David van der Kellen, Nieuws '!Ian den Eeden has bought "De ROdeurs", it thus Dag, severly criticizes the work of Van remains in our country". See: 26 June. Gogh, Thorn Prikker and Toorop at the Keuze-tentoonstelling, Amsterdam. In the evening Toorop meets the com­ poser B.J.F. Varenhorst, who will com­ 12 Tues. Fourth letter of Henry van de Velde to pose the music for Verwey's "De Joden". Toorop, asks for the precise opening date See: 6 April. of the H.K.K. exhibition, this date is 19 Tues. Fifth letter of Henry van de Velde to also to be written to Van Rysselberghe (Brussels). The letter contains a list of TooroPi he thanks Toorop for the "ren­ seignements" and accepts Toorop's invi­ works which have already been sent to tation to give a lecture at The Hague. The Hague, and asks when the remain­ Van de Velde asks for advanced money der are to be shipped. to make the trip. See: 8 and 9 July. Toorop to Verwey (Haarlem); he con­ 14 Thurs. For the entire day Toorop visits Miss firms that he has sent the Toorop­ Van der Schalk at Noordwijk. They have Sonnets to Amersfoort. See: 8 July. not seen each other since June 13. It Toorop urges Verwey to visit the H.K.K. is the first encounter after the accident exhibition and to attend the lecture by of Henriette's father and siste~. See: 29 Van de Velde on 25 July. 82 Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies

Toorop continues: "As well, yesterday tend Van de Velde's lecture. How­ evening, I met a certain Varenhorst, who ever, he is very interested in meeting has composed very beautiful music to Toorop's Belgian friends. Witsen hopes your "De J oden". He played the first sec­ that Toorop will visit him in Amsterdam tion of it on the piano for me". Toorop and mentions a previous visit of Toorop suggests to Varenhorst to transcribe the to him in Amsterdam, probably on 26 music for choir and three or four harps. June. Witsen also mentions that he and See: 6 Nov. Roland Holst. visited Toorop one evening in Katwijk./See: 27 January. Toorop and Verwey have not seen each . other since 12 May, the day of Toorop's Witsen lUtes to see Toorop's paintings. move from Katwijk to Loosduinen. Toorop obviously is an important link be­ Verwey writes to Miss van der Schalk tween the Dutch and Belgian artists dur­ about Henry van de Velde's visit to The ing this period. Hague. 29 Fri. J ohan de Meester, Nieuwe Rotter­ 23 Sat. Theo van Rysselberghe (Brussels) writes damsche Courant, begins a series of three to TooroPi he thanks him for the in­ articles which are important for Toorop. formation about the H.K.K. exhibition The remainder appear on 31 July and 2 and regrets very much that Toorop does August. not exhibit his own work. He asks for newspaper clippings and requests two ex­ 30 Sat. Sixth letter of Henry van de Velde to hibition catalogues, one for himself and TooroPi he thanks Toorop for the warm one for Paul Signac. Van Rysselberghe reception in The Hague and is pleased hopes to travel with Van de Velde to The with the reactions of the Dutch public. Hague. He sends his regards to Roland Holst. 24 Sun. J.W. van Dijckveldt, De Amsterdammer, August 1892 evaluates the position of Thorn Prikker 1 Mon. Jan Veth, "Nieuwe Belgen en Franschen and Toorop at the Keuze-tentoonstelling, in Den Haag", De Nieuwe Gids VII, pp Amsterdam. 449-453, presents an extensive discussion Willem du Tour (pseudonym for Roland of the H.K.K. exhibition. Holst), de A msterdammer, discusses See: 15 July. in considerable detail the meaning of Toorop's design for the exhibition cata­ Jan Veth, De Nieuwe Gids, pp. 453-456, logue of the H.K.K~ He admires Odilon writes that the work of Toorop, Thorn Redon's work at the exhibition. Prikker and Van Gogh was discussed most during the Keuze-tentoonstelling, 25 Mon. At 3 p.m. Henry van de Velde speaks Amsterdam. about the "Paysan dans l'art" at the H.K.K. Present are among others Marius Veth analyzes Toorop's work in detail. Bauer, Roland Holst, Toorop, Jan Veth and Verwey. Verwey meets Van de Velde 2 Tues. Verwey (Haarlem) writes to Miss van der for the first time. The artists offer their Schalk, he reports on the lecture and din­ guest a dinner in . They ner for Van de Velde. He praises Van all visit Toorop's studio in Loosduinen, Rysselberghe's portrait of Emile Ver­ where Verwey sees "Oude Dromers" and haeren. a drawing "Lenore". Verwey will return from Haarlem to Van de Velde stays with Toorop. Noordwijk on 16 August. He also intends to visit Antwerp. L'Art 1I(oderne, no. 30, 239, mentions Van de Velde's lecture in The Hague. 4 Thurs. Arnhemsche Courant, "De Keuze­ Willem Witsen (Oisterwijk, Brabant) tentoonstelling te Amsterdam-Slot", dis­ writes to TooroPi he is unable to at- cusses Toorop. Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies 83

6 Sat. Henriette van der Schalk writes to Ver­ September 1892 wey (Haarlem), that on Saturday (9 July) Toorop has sent her a large par­ 4 Sun. Henry van de Velde, "A la Haye - Expo­ cel with revolutionary Belgian journals, sition d'oeuvres de quelques membres des in addition to Verlaine's "Liturgies In­ XX et de l'Association pour l'Art", L'Art times" (Paris, Bibliotheque du St. Graal, Moderne, 12e annee, no. 36, pp. 285-86. Janvier 1892). One of the journals must Van de Velde praises Toorop for bringing have been Raymond Nyst's Mouvement the Dutch in, touch with Les Vingt, and Litteraire. See: 27 April. Miss van der the moderij!French artists. He is sorry Schalk discusses Keats, Shelley, Shake­ that Too~p did not take part himself in speare and Vondel, authors which influ­ the H.K/[C exhibition. Van de Velde be­ ence Toorop during this period. lieves that the Dutch public is more open to new ideas than the Belgians art. Toorop has written to Miss van der Schalk and hopes to visit her again soon~ 7 Wed. Toorop writes to the painter Hendrik van This letter is now lost. Steenwijk (T.C. R.K.D. 18); it appears that Toorop has considerable debts, writ­ 10 Wed. Henri Borel (Delft) writes to Miss ing that yesterday he sold a painting, but Gripekoven (Leiden) and discusses the is only paid in installments. He com­ transformation of De Portefeuille into plains about the bad municipal services the illustrated journal Helios. This will of Loosduinen. take four to six weeks. Toorop and sev­ eral young Belgian authors support this Toorop has begun with "Extase", which transformation. Toorop's cooperation requires considerable research, at the must have been obtained by late July. same time he works on "Damnation However, nothing came of this transform­ d'Artiste" . Toorop also is preparing ation. drawings for the H.K.K., among which is "Orgel" ("Organ"). See: 11 April. He urges Van Steenwijk to send his draw­ Borel intimates that Verwey's "De Jo­ ings to the H.K.K. See: 28 Sept. Van den" with the music by Varenhorst will Steenwijk is the first acquaintance of be performed next March. Toorop will Toorop who works at Domburg (Ze';' attend this performance. land). See: 19 July and 6 Nov. Borel promises Miss Gripekoven an invitation. 11 Sun. Seventh letter of Van de Velde to Toorop is written between 11 and 18 Sept. He re­ 14 Sun. The H.H.K. exhibition closes. quests Toorop's cooperation for the new Belgian art-journal "Van Nu en Straks". Verwey and Gorter go to Antwerp to at­ The first issue appears April 1893. Van tend the Landjuweel festivities. Toorop de Velde adds a letter to Roland Holst does not join them as he originally in­ whose address he has lost. tended. See: 2 Aug. 14 Wed. Letter from Diepenbrock (Bois-Ie-Due) 16 Tues. Verwey returns from Haarlem to Villa to his friend A. de Graaf; writes that to Nova at Noordwijk, after a long absence. his great pleasure he has seen Les Vingt See: 9 July. at the H.K.K. See: 15 July. 17 Wed. Verwey visits Borel and Varenhorst to Diepenbrock criticizes the style of Jan hear the music composed for "De Joden". Veth's articles about Toorop and Les See: 10 August. Vingt but he does not disagree with the contents. See: 1 Aug. 24 Wed. Henri Borel, who is a Chinese interpreter, leaves for Amoy, China, via Paris and 18 Sun. Henry van de Velde, "Reponse a M. Ph. Marseille (4 Sept.). Zilcken", L'Art Moderne, 12e annee, no. 38, p. 303; he criticizes Pulchri Studio, See: 11 April and 10 Aug. The Hague. 84 Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies

. 24 Sat. Exhibition "Aquarellen en teekenin­ Thorn Prikker plan to organize a special gen", Leden-Tentoonstelling, the H.K.K. exhibition at art-dealer Oldenzeel, Rot­ opens, until 9 Oct. Toorop exhibits ten terdam. paintings and drawings. Circa 20 Oct. Paul Verlaine writes to the young bookdealer J ozef Blok in The 28 Wed. "Tentoonstelling van Aquarellen en Hague. He lets Blok know readily to ac­ Teekeningen der werkende leden van den cept his proposal to go to the Nether­ Haagschen Kunstkring, II Jan Toorop", lands and give some lectures, in order Arnhemsche Courant, discusses Toorop's to improve/his strained financial circum­ work in great detail. "0 Grave, where stances. / is thy Victory" has been bought at once, after the opening, by Hidde Nyland. Apparently this letter by Verlaine has not survived. 30 Fri. "III Jan Toorop (vervolg)", Arnhemsche In 1890 the bookshop S. Blok and Courant, discusses "Orgelklanken", "Les Co., also called Maison Blok-Librairie ROdeurs" and "Hel en Twijfel". Franc;aise was established at 17 Prinse­ straat, The Hague. Blok and Verlaine October 1892 knew each other from Paris. Circa 20 Oct. Ph. Zilcken (The Hague) 1 Sat. W. van Tricht, "Tentoonstelling van sends an official invitation to Paul Ver­ Teekeningen der werkende leden van laine to visit Holland. This is done at den Haagschen Kunstkring", De Porte­ the request of Mr. J.G. Staal (Delft) and feuille, emphasizes the important Sym­ Toorop. See: 2 Nov. bolists Thorn Prikker and Toorop. See: 11 April and 24 Sept. 25 Tues. Toorop is very busy writing letters to prospective supporters ofVerlaine's visit. 3 Mon. Jan Veth answers Toorop's letter which Roland Holst (Amsterdam) writes to he has just received. Toorop has offered Toorop (between 25 Oct. and 2 Nov.): him one of his works in the exhibition. Toorop has promised to visit him in Am­ Veth is very honoured but declines the sterdam. Holst is busy with the cover offer. design of the Van Gogh exhibition cata­ Veth has not yet seen the recent H.K.K. logue. See: 17 Dec. exhibition, but hopes to visit it soon; he Toorop also intends to visit Veth in Bus­ wishes to speak to Toorop about a new sum. exhibition in Amsterdam. See: 20 Oct. 27 Thurs. Toorop attends the marriage celebra­ tion of Floris Verster with Jenny Kamer­ 7 Fri. August Vermeylen writes to lingh Onnes in Leiden. He presents them Derkinderen; he mentions that Toorop with "Aurora", a large Symbolist draw­ has promised his cooperation with the ing. new Belgian journal Van Nu en Straks. In Leiden Toorop must have propagated See: 11 Sept. Verlaine's visit. 9 Sun. Exhibition"Aquarellen en teekeningen" 28 Fri. Toorop writes a postcard to Verwey at the H.K.K. closes. about Verlaine's visit. He expects Ver­ -, laine to arrive on 3 or 4 Nov. Actu­ 20 Thurs. Jan Ve~h, "Haagsche Kunstkring", De ally Verlaine will arrive on 2 Nov., in the A mste'1'dammer,mentions that Toorop evening. has eleven works at the exhibition (there are actually ten). He writes that Van Toorop mentions that Verlaine will read Wisselingh.has sold the "Garden of Sor,.. in The Hague (2x) and in Amsterdam .rows" to a Utrecht collector. See: 26 (2x). He has discovered that the people . June. Ary Prins bought "Hel en Twij- in Leiden are very interested in this visit fel". Veth also mentions that Toorop and as weU. Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies 85

Zilcken will report to Verwey. among them. Frans Erens, Willem Kloos Verwey is in Amsterdam. 28 and 29 Oct., and Aeg. Timmerman. During the din­ in order to prepare Verlaine's visit there. ner Toorop and Veth are seated next to Verlaine. 29 Sat. Zilcken has written a second letter to Thereafter, the group which has in­ Verlaine, establishing the day of arrival creased considerably, goes to the Cafe in The Hague. Bordelaise in t.he rotunda of the Passage. Verlaine answers with a request for As everyone/IsI eager to hear what Ver- money to travel and confirms that he will laine has to say, the company is rather depart from Paris on Wednesday 2 Nov. hushed ~d the Frenchman obviously (letter dated: Paris, Ie 29 8bre '92). feels ill at ease with this situation. Toorop writes a postcard to Verwey and Verlaine stays with the Zilckens at their asks if the poet will speak about Ver­ Villa Helene, located opposite the royal laine on 30 Oct., at 3 p.m. at Liirke, residence Huis ten Bosch. In the studio The Hague. of Zilcken the discussions continue until Toorop insists and invites Verwey to din­ the early hours of the morning. ner at his home. 3 Thurs. Verlaine passes the morning in the stu­ Roland Holst (Amsterdam) writes a dio and library of Zilcken. The latter postcard to Verwey and states he is ac­ owns several works by Peladan. Jan tively involved with the preparation of Veth arrives "un confrere tres distingue" Verlaine's visit to Amsterdam. and a little later Toorop and Verwey ar­ Verwey writes to Roland Holst, he is rive as well. Verwey apparently stays sorry to have missed Roland Holst on his with Toorop in Loosduinen. Verlaine was visit to Amsterdam 28 and 29 Oct. He to describe Toorop as: "un superbe Ja­ writes that he will go to The Hague to­ vanais brun de teint aux yeux sombre ex­ morrow. traordinairement doux, ala barbe epaisse et molle, bleu a force d'etre noire" and 30 Sun. Verwey speaks in The Hague about Ver­ Verwey as: "Tout en cheveux terrible­ laine. ment en brosse ce Verwey; C'est meme ce qu'il y a de plus terrible dans sa phys­ November 1892 iomomie de vraie bonte presque enfan­ tine" . 1 Tues. The fourth letter of Toorop to Henry van Zilcken makes several photographs of de Velde must have been written in early Verlaine, one of these is published by Vit­ Nov., the latter answers on 17 Nov. torio Pica in Naples and one or more of See: 25 Mar. these portraits appear in the Revue En­ cyclopedique. 2 Wed. In the morning Verlaine leaves Paris from the Gare du Nord. He travels first class Verlaine also works on his first speech. with the funds which have come from After lunch the streetcar takes the com­ Holland. pany into the city. The painter Etienne Circa 6 p.m. arrival of Verlaine at the Bosch joins them and a visit is paid Hollandsche Spoor Station of The Hague. to the Librairie Fran~aise of Jozef Blok. He is met by about ten artists and admir­ They then inspect the hall of the Masonic ers headed by J ozef Blok, the only person Lodge at the Fluwelen Burgwal, where who knows him personally. Present also Verlaine will give his first reading this are Thorn Prikker, Toorop, Verwey, Veth evening. The city is toured and they end and Zilcken, his host. Verlaine is taken up at Cafe Linke for bitters. at once to Cafe Riche, located at the cor­ Dinner is taken at Villa Helene and at ner of the Passage and Buitenhof below 8:30 p.m. Verlaine's first public ap­ the rooms of the H.K.K. Other mem­ pearance takes place in the sober grey bers of the company are waiting there, and white Masonic Hall. The audience 86 Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies

Figure 2: Jan Toorop, Fatalisme, pencil and chalk (colour), 60 x 75 cm. Dec. 1892 - Feb. 1893. Otterlo, Kriiller-M iiller .

numbers circa a hundred people, many de mes camarades et amis ... " The pub­ of them women. There are also many lic is pleased and impressed, but it pref­ people from Leiden and Amsterdam in­ ered to hear more of Verlaine's own po­ cluding; Boeken, Delang, Kloos, Roland etry. Afterwards the Zilckens, Toorop Holst, Tideman, Aeg. Timmerman and and Verwey take Verlaine to the hotel­ Witsen. Miss van der Schalk and Thorn restaurant De Twee Steden at the corner Prikker are present as well. Accord­ of Hofspui and Buitenhof. ing to the latter, the visit of Verlaine is The others gather there as well and are much opposed by the painter Mesdag and introduced to the French poet. A delega­ the other Hague School artists of Pulchri tion of Leiden students asks him to speak Studio. in their city. Henriette van der Schalk, Surprisingly, until now Verlaine has not still in mourning, is presented as "une je­ often spoken in public and his voice is une poete Hollandaise". She presumably rather soft. He discusses: "la pOEisie meets her future husband Roland Holst contemporaine, tout en remontant au for the first time. See: 3 March and 6 Romantisme et au Parnasse contempo­ April. ... puis j'analyse les nuances du During this reception the incident Kloos decadisme et du symbolisme et les ar­ - Verwey takes place, with the former canes de l'Ecole Romane ... Et je citai, publicly attacking Verwey, who remains al'appui dema these, des masseS de vers silent, listening carefully. Veth gallantly Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies 87

makes an end to this incident of the for­ white, red and gold. Then the poet occu­ mer friends! pies himself with little Renee Zilcken for Verlaine does not get into bed until 2 whom he is to write a sonnet. a.m. In the evening, Verlaine's Dutch admir­ ers offer him a banquet at the Restau­ 4 Fri. Verlaine rises very late. Verwey comes rant Royal located on the corner of for a visit, he has written a poem for Ver­ the Kneuterdijk and Lange Vijverberg. laine the previous night but is quite shy The guests i':}Clude the collector E.V.F. about this. Ahn, Marj;ls Bauer, K. Bouwense, According to Quinze Jours (p. 325), Willem I"euring, Hidde Nyland, the Verlaine, Toorop and Etienne Bosch pay pain tress Gef!ina Schenk, Robert Stellwa­ a visit to the Royal Cabinet of Paint­ gen, Thorn Prikker, Toorop, Varenhorst, ings at the Mauritshuis, in the afternoon. Verwey with his wife Kitty Verwey-van This visit actually never takes place, see: Vloten and his brother W.E. Verwey as "Correspondence" (pp. 26-30, 42-43). well as Zilcken with his wife. In the evening Verlaine gives his second 6 Sun. The bookseller Blok invites Verlaine for reading, again in the Hall of the Masonic lunch and they go by streetcar to .a Lodge. The audience is smaller than at magnificent cafe close to the Nieuwe the previous evening and this time the Kerk and the small Renaissance town French poet discusses the work of the hall. After lunch Verlaine wishes to Decadents, the Symbolists and the Ecole visit the medieval church but he is dis­ Romane. He ends by reading long sec­ suaded by Blok as they will be forced tions from his own poetry-among oth­ to stay to the end of the long church ers from "Sagesse". service. Blok then takes Verlaine on a tour by carriage to Scheveningen, along Afterward, Verlaine and the Zilckens go the Oude Scheveningse Weg, the Keiz­ to a soiree offered by the painter H.J. ersstraat, through the picturesque fish­ Haverman and his wife in the Casuarie­ ing village. They pass the luxury hotels, straat 1. Varenhorst opens the evening go along the Verhuell Weg, via Huis ten by playing one of his compositions: a Bosch Palace and back to Villa Helene. musical interpretation of Verlaine's "Col­ loque Sentimental". Varenhorst's mu­ According to Thorn Prikker, the soiree at sic to Verwey's "De Joden" is performed the Haverman residence takes place this as well, See: July 9. Mrs Haverman Sunday evening. See: 4 Nov. Birnie "une javanaise tres aimable" em­ 7 Mon. Preparations for the lecure to be given at barrasses Ver laine by asking him to read Leiden this evening. Mallarme's "Le Faune", the request is fulfilled. At 7 p.m. Bauer, Toorop and Zilcken ac­ company Verlaine to Leiden where they According to Thorn Prikker the soiree at are received at the station by a large the house of the Havermans takes place group of young people, many of whom on the evening of 6 Nov. also have attended the readings in The Hague. A carriage takes the company 5 Sat. Verlaine remains in bed all morning and past the fine Renaissance townhall to the Zilcken is even afraid that the poet has small but sumptuous hall of the Socie­ become ill. teit Amicitiae. Here Verlaine speaks in The afternoon is spent by looking around greater detail than before about the tech­ the house which is finely furnished with niques of Vers Libre, the Decadents, the bamboo furniture and rare rugs. Verlaine Symbolists and the Romantics. He reads admires the collection of nineteenth cen­ from his own poems- "Parallelement". turyFrench etchings in the dining room, J an ten Brink, professor of theology and the prints by Outamaro and the orien­ Dutch literature, who is strongly opposed tal bronzes. He is particularly impressed to the visit of Ver laine has tried to pre­ by the collection of Japanese porcelain iIi vent him from reading and calls him a 88 Canadian Journp,l of Netherlandic Studies

"voyou". Verlaine uses this term pro­ next morning, when Verlaine, !sraels and nouncedly in his talk and the public re­ Erens are talking in the studio, Verlaine sponds with a tumultuous ovation. says "Kloos est un original". See: Erens, (p. 281). Later that same evening, Verlaine and his company return to the station, where a 8 Tues. Verlaine rises late and when Frans Erens small delegation from Amsterdam meets visits the poet, he finds him wearing them, headed by P.L. Tak one of the ed­ a beautiful sjamerlook of bright yellow itors of the Nieuwe Gids. Verlaine calls silk which Jsraels has lent him. Wit­ him "un type". They all take the train sen, a fine photographer, makes sev­ to Amsterdam except for Zilcken who re­ eral phot6graphs ofVerlaine thus dressed turns home. Arriving at the Centraal (Leiden, Printroom) and soon one of Station still another delegation, this time these pictures will be displayed in the headed by Kloos, awaits Verlaine and he shop window of Verlaine's Paris publisher is taken to the studio of Willem Wit­ Vanier. Israels, in turn, quickly sketches sen at the Oosterpark. Witsen who is Verlaine "delicieusement caricatural", a befriended with Zilcken, has invited the croquis highly treasured by its subject poet to stay with him while in Amster­ and also taken to Paris. dam. At the door of the studio Ver­ laine is welcomed quite formally by Isaac For the afternoon, Witsen has ordered Israels, who lives below on the ground a landau in which he himself and Betsy floor, and by Hein Boeken. The rooms van Vloten take place opposite Verlaine are decorated with flowers and beautiful and Erens, who both sit on the back­ objects. Witsen has invited some more seat. Thus they ride from the Ooster­ friends such as Frans Erens, Aeg. Tim­ park, along to the Plantage Midden Laan merman and Betsy van Vloten who is through the Kalverstraat to the Caves de engaged to Witsen, beside those already France. During the ride, when the car­ mentioned. They all are seated around riage slows down, Verlaine begins to read a large square table, bread and meats a French newspaper. He cannot control are served. The conversation is sparse, himself, observes Erens, he has to find for those present are obviously too much out what the paper writes about him. He impressed by the presence of the greatest is so engrossed in the little article that living poet of France. Everyone is solemn he does not take any notice of the other and Verlaine feels rather uncomfortable. three people, he only is interested in what Although, he is not insensitive to admi­ is written about him in Paris. According ration, in his bohemian existence he is to Erens, in this respect Verlaine is a typ­ used to an atmosphere of comradeship. ical Frenchman who has little interest in See: Erens, (p. 298). foreign countries and whose attention is directed only toward himself and his own Kloos plays his role as leader of Dutch country. See: Erens (p. 278). poetry with great authority. He be­ They thus arrive at the Caves de France lieves himself to be the most competent where in the hall at the back of the person to inform the Frenchman about groundfloor several acquaintances and this subject. In the studio of Witsen, friends have gathered. There are circa Verlaine stands beside him like a dull­ twenty-five ladies and gentlemen. Erens witted pupil who receives instructions remembers the presence of Van Looy and from his teacher. He remains passive and his wife, Van Eeden and Aletrino. The in a good.:.natured way accepts Kloos' atmosphere is not very merry. Verlaine attitude. The latter does not say very would have preferred this to the respect­ much, but accompanies his few words by fulness by which he is now imprisoned. shaking energetically and by nodding his He has to take on the pose of an idol and head, while pointing out with his finger he does not pull this off very well, See: to what Verlaine is to read, among oth­ Erena (pp. 279 and 281). ers from "Sagesse". Verlaine nods indif­ ferently a:nd says that he agrees. The According to Harry G.M. Prick, the first Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies 89

reading of Ver laine in Amsterdam takes After lunch the company drives through place on Tuesday, 8 Nov. at 8 p.m. See: the picturesque sections of the city. Ver­ Maatstaf I, 1953, p. 265. laine sees "des caneaux affreux, aban­ donnes" and "Ie quartier Juif, tres 9 Wed. In the studio of Witsen, Toorop draws miserable" . the portrait ofVerlaine (Rotterdam, Mu­ During the evening the second Amster­ seum Boymans-van Beuningen). Ver­ dam reading takes place in the little hall laine's portrait of Toorop is dated "Am­ of Huize COllturier. Verlaine reads from sterdam, 9.11.92." Witsen makes pho­ "Sagesse" . iJ:'he audience is only small. tographs of Toorop (Leiden, Printroom). / At three o'clock, dinner is taken in the 11 Fri. Frederik van Eeden writes to Lodewijk same large restaurant where they have van Deyssel, [Bussum] 11 Nov. 92, "yes­ been in the morning. They then go to a terday evening I was at the Verlaine sumptuous salon. reading. It was very striking (treffend). Among others he read the magnificent During these days Toorop and Verwey sonnets from "Sagesse" to "Pauvre arne are always seen together and Verlaine de­ c'est cela!" He first spoke very softly scribes them as "Ie bon Toorop et Ie cher and unclear, but he has a beautiful low Verwey". voice-and he says the things with a Verlaine presents his first Amsterdam great sensitivity of intonation and a very reading at 8 p.m., in the large hall of sincere simplicity. He knows very well Huize Couturier on the Keizersgracht how to read to himself, notwithstanding 674. It is a variation on "Decadents, the presence of the public, just like a Symbolistes et Romans" pronounced on monk who prays by himself. He treats Nov. 4 at The Hague. There are circa his early profligate or boyish verses with sixty people in the audience and when good nature like an uncle would do with the French poet enters the hall they all his playful nephews" . rise to their feet, in a moving tribute. See: De Briefwisseling Tu8sen Frederik Verlaine reads from the poetry of Mau­ van Eeden en Lodewijk van Deysse~ (p rice du Plessys, Raymond de la Tailhede, 186, 1964). Ernest Raynaud and Jean Moreas. At This is the day of departure from Ams­ the request of Kloos, he also reads from terdam. Around noontime Verlaine and his own poetry "0 mon Dieu vous m'avez his company leave the studio of Witsen. blesse d'amour ... ". The train departs circa 3 p.m. Toorop Erens reflects: "It is not true to say leads the way and by streetcar they go that he read badly as some have main­ to a restaurant not far from the Centraal tained at the time" and furthermore, Station. There, a long time is taken for "no, that conference of Verlaine was a lunch, friends come and go, Toorop dis­ delight, whatever one may have said lat­ appears on some errand in the city and, eron. He was not a reciter but he knew as a result, they miss the train. They how to speak simply and heartfelt". See: now have to wait until five o'clock and Erens (p. 279). Verlaine is quite upset about this. On arrival in The Hague and before re­ 10 Thurs. Breakfast is taken with Israels, Tak, turning to Villa Helene, a cafe is visited Toorop and Witsen. They then appar­ where to everyone's surprise they notice ently go to the Rijksmuseum where Ver­ a poster by J osselin de J ong with a por~ laine notices in particular 's trait of Sar Peladan, eyes lowered, in a "Syndics" and the "Anatomical Lesson of monastic cloak. It announces that the Dr. Deyman". He furthermore looks at next .day, Peladan will present a lecture the work of Jacob van Ruisdael, Paulus "La Magie et L'Amour" at the H.K.K. Potter and Cornelis Troost and he brings a salute to La Ronde de Nuit, dans son 12 Sat. Verlaine is glad to have fulfilled his ob­ sanctuaire. ligations and does not have to lecture 90 Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies

anymore. The morning is spent in the Claus and Constantin Meunier. studio of Zilcken, who discusses modern See: Joosten Thorn Prikker (p. 75). Dutch literature of the poets Kloos, Ver­ weyand Delang. Verlaine remembers Peladan is seated next to Mrs. Baert­ meeting Van Eeden, and Zilcken regards soen and opposite Verlaine. Robert Stell­ Van Deyssel as the most important prose wagen makes a speech remarking on the writer. With little Renee Zilcken, Ver­ contradiction, in Peladan's attitude to­ laJne looks at Japanese albums. ward women. In the afternoon siesta is held, then din­ After lun,ch, Toorop takes Peladan for a ner is taken with the Zilckens. ride to $cheveningen. All the fishermen's children run after them as the unusual In the evening they go to hear Sar dress of that Frenchman arouses their cu­ Merodack Josephine Peladan who visits riosity. On this occasion Peladan wears The Netherlands from Saturday 12 until a black satin blouse and a purple tie with probably Wednesday 16 November. white lace silver coloured velvet trousers, As a guest of the Literature Section of high grey lace-up boots, a little astrakan the H.K.K., Peladan's presentation takes cap and a large black coat. place in one of the halls of the Circle. In the evening, the Zilckens offer a This rather low hall is kept in semi dark­ farewell party (afscheids-soiree) to Ver­ ness with a platform raised at the end laine. There is a large group of people of it. A red chasuble with yellow cross is present, among whom are Aeg. Tim­ draped over a table. To the left and right merman, Varenhorst, Toorop and Ver­ four c~ndles are burning in church can-:­ weyand also the parents of Zilcken. delabras. They have the sizes of easter A choir of young ladies sings and Ver­ candles, while two more look like altar laine remembers the excellent playing of candles. Zilcken's father on the violoncello. After Peladan has a halo of black hair and his dinner everyone talks of the lecture given face is pale grey, His tall grey boots reach by Peladan at the H.K.K. over his knees, contrasting in colour with Apparently misunderstandings have the purple blouse which has stripes at the arisen among the hosts of peladan. For back and very fine pleats in front. Over the intention is to take him to Varen­ this a black tie is worn with white lace. horst in the evening. Thorn Prikker dis­ Instead of a coat, Peladan wears a cowl covers that the latter is not at home as with. a large hood, which he pulls ov"r he spends the evening at Villa Helene his head at night. According to Verlaine, as guest of Zilcken. Surprisingly, Thorn Peladan wears these theatrical costumes, Prikker is unaware of the party for Ver­ because the artistry of Peladan is on the laine. Peladan is left waiting at the decline, the latter regards Verlaine as the H.K.K. greatest living artist of France. To their surprise, Roland Holst, Thorn 14 Mon. Today Verlaine returns to Paris. At Prikker and Toorop are made members around seven in the morning Verlaine of the Ordre de la Rose+Croix during and Zilcken go to the Hollandsche Spoor Peladan's visit to Holland. Station where Thorn Prikker, Toorop, Verwey and others are already waiting. See: 14 and 15. Nov. Verlaine is quite moved as he thanks his 13 Sun. A lunch is offered in honour of Peladan Dutch hosts, but according to Toorop, he at Restaurant Royal. Here the Belgian is also upset as the compartment is not landscape painter Albert Baertsoen and to his liking and Verlaine initially refuses his wife count among the guests. Zilcken to enter the train. and his wife, Thorn Prikker, Toorop and Verwey writes to Henriette van der Verwey are present as well. Schalk, Noordwijk aan Zee, 14 Nov. '92. Baertsoen visits The Hague on account "The centerpiece of yesterday was my in­ of an exhibition of work b~ him, Emile troduction to the Sar, Mr. Peladan to Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies 91

be sure. He was seated oposite Ver­ Peladan and Robert Stellwagen also visit laine at a table with burning candles the Frans Hals Museum at Haarlem. and twenty guests. His sly pitchblack In the evening, Peladan lectures before head, lithe little body dressed in black a Leiden audience on Magic and Mys­ silken jacket with white laced bans and tery, discussing the Book of Genesis and tightly closed around the little female the Gospel of St. John. He has heard hands, brown satin knickerbockers in of the attacks on Verlaine by Ten Brink high white boots-and what a graceful and openly

Robert Stellwagen, De Portefeuille, dis­ Eighty-seven paintings, twenty-five cusses the visit of Peladan at Leiden. drawings and some letters are displayed. 20 Sun. Thorn Prikker (The Hague) writes a long Toorop is present at the opening. letter to Borel (Amoy-China) about Ver­ 20 Tues. Birthday of Toorop, he is thirty-three laine's visit to Holland. years of age. Jan Veth, De Amsterdammer, publishes the text of the circular letter of "Van Nu 25 Sun. Toorop spends the Christmas holidays in en Straks". See: 11 Sept. and 17 Nov. Dordrecht with Hidde Nyland. Annie and Charliy are at Kenley in England. Toorop writes to Theo van Rysselberghe (Brussels), and asks for a contribution for At Nylkd's home Toorop continues the lottery-exhibition. See: 17 Nov. to paint and make changes in "Une Hetaire" . De Portefeuille of 11 Feb., 1893, reports that Van Rysselberghe sent an etching 29 Thurs. Verwey writes to Roland Holst (Am­ "of a dancer in a modern English style" . sterdam): "Toorop has been here for two days. He is working on three drawings. 23 Wed. "Le Mouvement Litteraire" publishes a He tells me that you will be going to Eng­ special issue on Sar Nladan. This jour­ nal is published by Toorop's Belgian land. Is this true?". friend Raymond Nyst. See: 27 April. See: 20 Jan., 1893. 29 Tues. Jac. van Looy (Amsterdam) writes to Lodewijk van Deyssel: he discusses in de­ tail the visit of Verlaine to Amsterdam. This letter is published by H. Prick, Maatstaf I, August 1953, pp. 263-26i See: 8 and 9 Nov. January 1893 30 Wed. Between 15 and 30 Nov. Toorop writes a 1 Sun. Toorop is with friends in long letter to Wits en (Amsterdam). He (Knibbe Rulofs?). He writes to Annie thanks Witsen for the reception of Ver­ about his stay with Hidde Nyland (K.B. laine in Amsterdam and he records the T.C.80a). remainder of Verlaine's stay in Holland. 20 Fri. Around this time Toorop writes to Ver­ Toorop also writes of the visit of Peladan, wey: "For three to four weeks, I have who apparently did not go to Amster­ shut myself in like a monk, after all the dam. Toorop looks forward to Witsen's knocking about during Verlaine's stay _stay at his home in Loosduinen. He ends over here. by stating that he is happy to be able to relax -once more and that he is working Presently, I am working on a large draw­ hard. ing which is meant for the exhibition of the Etsclub in Amsterdam, that is to say in case it is ready in time." Most likely Toorop's wife and little daughter are still in England. See: 25 Dec., 1892. December 1892 23 Mon. Roland Holst writes to Verwey: "In your 1 Thurs. The conflict between the younger genera­ last letter you wrote that Jan Toorop had tion of The Hague artists (Thorn Prikker, told you, that I will be going to Lon­ Toorop) and Pulchri Studio increases and don. This is a conclusion he has drawn soon leads to a break. See: 3 Nov. for himself, it results from a discussion during the Verlaine period". 17 Sat. The Van Gogh exhibition opens in the See: 29 Dec., 1892. Kunstzaal, Panorama Building, Amster­ dam, until 5 Feb., 1893. Cana4ian Journal of Netherlandic Studies 93

Siebelhoff, Robert, "The Three Brides, a Draw­ ing by Jan Toorop", Nederlands Kunsthis­ torisch Jaarboek, XXXVII (1976), pp. 211-261. Siebelhoff, Robert, "Toorop, Van de Velde, Van Rysselberghe and the The Hague Exhibition of 1892", Oud Holland, Vol 95, No.2, (1981), pp. 97-107. Tibbe, Lieske, "Les/ XX en de Nederlandse Schilderkunst (1883-1893)". De Negentiende Eeuw, V, No.3 (Nov. 1981), pp 115-147.

Books and Articles Specifically related to the visits of Paul Verlaine and Sar Figure 9: Jan Toorop, 0 Grave where thy vic­ tory, pencil and chalk (colour), 62 x 76 em., before Peladan to Holland Sept. 15, 1892, Amsterdam, Printroom. Exhibition catalogue Cinquentenaire du Symbol­ isme, Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale, 1936, pp. 946-947. Books and Articles Erens, Frans, Vervlogen Jaren, , W.E.J. Tjeenk Willink, 1958. Braches, Ernst, Het Boek als Nieuwe Kunst, een Studie in . Oosthoek B.V., 1973. Heijbroek, J.F. " Vis, A.A.M., Verlaine in Nederland. Het bezoek van 1892 in woord Gans, L., Nieuwe Kunst. De Nederlandse Bijdrage en beeld, Amsterdam, Universiteitsbibliotheek, tot de Art Nouveau. Utrecht, 1960. 1985. Huizinga, J., Leven en Werk van Jan Veth. Haar­ Jean-Aubry, G., "Verlaine en Hollande", Mer­ lem, H.D. Tjeenk Willink en Zoon, 1927. cure de France, 34, 1923, Tome 164, pp. 318- Joosten, Joop M., ed., De Brieven van Johan 353. Thorn Prikker aan Henri Borel en Anderen Joosten, J.M., "De Leidse Tijd van H.P. Brem­ 1892-1904. Nieuwkoop, Uitgeverij Heuff, 1980. mer 1871-1895", Leids Jaarboekje, 1970, pp. 79- Nyland-Verwey, Dr. Mea, ed., 114. Kunstenaarslevens, De Briefwisseling van Al­ Looy, J ac. van, "Twee brieven aan Lodewijk van bert Verwey met Alphons Diepenbrock, Herman Deyssel", Maatstaf, I, August 1953, pp. 260- Gorter, R.N. Roland Holst, Henriette van der 267. Schalk en J.Th. Toorop. Assen, Van Gorcum en Co. N.V., 1959. P(ierard?), L., "Verlaine Inedit", La Revue de Hollande, 2, 1916, pp. 1257-1258. Polak, Bettina, Het Fin-de-Siecle in de Neder­ landse Schilderkunst. The Hague, Martinus Nij­ Roland Holst, R.N., In En Buiten Het Tij. hoff, 1955. (English Summary pp. 308-316) Nagelaten Beschouwingen en Herdenkingen 1889-1998, Amsterdam, J.M. Meulenhoff, 1940, Prick, Harry G.M., ed., De Briefwisseling tus­ pp. 20-21. sen Ary Prins en Lodewijk van Deyssel. The Hague, Nederlands Letterkundig Museum, Stellwagen, Robert, "Report on Peladan's Visit 1971, 2 vols. to Leiden", De Portefeuille, 19 Nov., 1892. Reeser, Eduard, ed., Timmerman; Aeg.W., Tim's Herinneringen, Alphons Diepenbrock Brieven en Documenten. Amsterdam, H.J. Paris, n.d. (1938). 1. The Hague, Martinus Nijhoff, 1962. Tricht, Dr. H.W. van" Prick, H.G.M. ed., Siebelhoff, Robert, The Early Development of De Briefwisseling tussen Frederik van Eeden en Jan Toorop 1879-1892, University of Toronto, Lodewijk van Deysse~ Zwolle, W.E.J. Tjeenk 1973, unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Willink, 1964.