Theo to van Gogh. , Monday, 14 July 1890.

Monday, 14 July 1890

Metadata

Source status: Original manuscript

Location: , , inv. no. b768 V/1962

Date: Letter headed: Paris le 14 Juillet 1890.

Additional: Original [1r:1] le 14 Juillet 1890 Mon cher Vincent, Nous sommes trs content que tu nes plus autant sous limpression des affaires en suspens que quand tu tais ii. Vraiment le danger nest pas aussi grave que tu le croyais. Si nous pouvons tous avoir une bonne sant, qui nous permette dentreprendre ce qui dans ntre tte petit petit devient une ncessit, tout ira bien. Dceptions certes mais nous ne sommes pas nos dbuts & nous sommes [1v:2] comme les charretiers qui avec tous les efforts des chevaux ont atteints presque le sommet de la colline, ils tournent bride & souvent alors avec un nouvel effort ils atteignent le sommet.1 Si seulement nous pensions toujours cela! Nous sommes aujourdhui en train de faire nos malles pour partir demain matin Leyde. Je men vais

1 Theo had previously used the metaphor of horses toiling up a hill (see letter 770).

1 2 Theo van Gogh to . Paris, Monday, 14 July 1890.

de l Mercredi chez Mesdag pour lui parler du Corot, 2 ensuite Anvers avec un tab. de Diaz.5 Quoique les huit jours soient couls ces messieurs nont rien dit lgard de ce quils pensent faire avec moi.7 Dries au contraire cest montr bien lche & se trouve vraisemblablement sous la domination de sa femme.10 Il a avou bien franchement que tout ce que je faisais vis vis de lui tait de lattirer dans lappartement en dessous de nous pour avoir sa femme comme une espce de bonne. Je ne puis pas croire que cela vient de lui. Cependant je ne pensais pas[1v:3] que sa femme tait folle ce point-l. Cest la seconde fois quil se retire au moment dcisif & cependant tu tais l quand nous en causions & il me rpondait carrment que je pouvais compter sur lui.12 Je ny comprends rien quen mettant15 cette hesitation sur le compte de sa femme. Que bien lui fasse. Sous ce pli tu reois fr 50. Si javais le bonheur de faire des affaires pendant mon voyage cela me mettrait encore plus laise. Bien bonjour mon vieux, dii huit jours probablement je serai de retour. Bien bonjour de Jo & crois moi ton frre qui taime. Theo

Translation [1r:1] 14 July 1890 My dear Vincent, Were very pleased that youre no longer so much under the impression of matters being unresolved as when you were here. Really, the danger isnt as grave as you believed. If we can all have good health, which may enable us to undertake what, in our heads, is little by little becoming a necessity, [1v:2] all will go well. Disappointments certainly, but were not beginners, and were like carters who with all the horses efforts have almost reached the top of the hill, they do an about-turn and often then, with a new effort, they reach the top.16 If only we were always thinking of that! Today were in the

2 This must refer to Theos lucrative sale the previous month of Corot3s Souvenir of Nemi . Mesdag4 had let it be known that he wanted to buy more of such works (see letter 894, n. 9). 5 It has not been determined which painting by Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Pea6 is referred to here. Theos visit to Antwerp took place on 17 July 1890; it is possible that the art dealer Emile Clarembaux acted as a middleman. See FR b2056; Brief happiness 1999, pp. 245, 247, 258. 7 Around 8 July Theo had asked his employers, Lon8 and Etienne Boussod9, for a rise, and they had agreed to give him an answer the following week. His threat to quit if they did not honour his request made little impression on Boussod and Valadon. Theo finally decided to stay with the firm for the time being (see letter 901, n. 5). Boussod later said about Theo: He has accumulated appalling things by modern painters which are the shame of the firm. See Hulsker 1990-1, p. 451. 10 Annie Bonger-van der Linden11. 12 Andries Bonger13 was also at Theo and Jo14s when Vincent visited them on Sunday, 6 July. Its the second time refers to the fact that Andries had again withdrawn his offer to start up a business with Theo. See Brief happiness 1999, p. 249. 15 Read: moins de mettre. 16 Theo had previously used the metaphor of horses toiling up a hill (see letter 770). Theo van Gogh to Vincent van Gogh. Paris, Monday, 14 July 1890. 3 middle of packing our trunks to leave tomorrow for Leiden. On Wednesday Im going from there to Mesdag17 to talk to him about the Corot18,19 then to Antwerp with a painting by Diaz22.23 Although the week has now passed, those gentlemen have said nothing as regards what theyre thinking of doing with me.25 Dries28, on the contrary, has proved very cowardly, and seems to be dominated by his wife29.30 He declared quite openly that all I was doing as regards him was to lure him into the apartment below us so as to have his wife as a sort of maid. I cannot believe that that comes from him. However, I didnt think that his wife was that mad. Its the second time [1v:3] hes withdrawn at the decisive moment, and however you were there when we were talking, and he answered me squarely that I could count on him.32 I cant understand it except by attributing this hesitation to his wife. Much good may it do him. Enclosed with this letter youll receive 50 francs. If I had the good fortune to do business during my travels that would put me even more at ease. Warm regards, old fellow, Ill probably be back in a weeks time. Warm regards from Jo35, and believe me your brother who loves you. Theo

17 Hendrik Willem Mesdag (1831-1915) Dutch artist 18 Jean Baptiste Camille Corot (1796-1875) French artist 19 This must refer to Theos lucrative sale the previous month of Corot20s Souvenir of Nemi . Mesdag21 had let it be known that he wanted to buy more of such works (see letter 894, n. 9). 22 Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Pea (1808-1876) French artist 23 It has not been determined which painting by Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Pea24 is referred to here. Theos visit to Antwerp took place on 17 July 1890; it is possible that the art dealer Emile Clarembaux acted as a middleman. See FR b2056; Brief happiness 1999, pp. 245, 247, 258. 25 Around 8 July Theo had asked his employers, Lon26 and Etienne Boussod27, for a rise, and they had agreed to give him an answer the following week. His threat to quit if they did not honour his request made little impression on Boussod and Valadon. Theo finally decided to stay with the firm for the time being (see letter 901, n. 5). Boussod later said about Theo: He has accumulated appalling things by modern painters which are the shame of the firm. See Hulsker 1990-1, p. 451. 28 Andries (Andr or Dries) Bonger (1861-1936) friend of Theo in Paris, brother of Jo van Gogh-Bonger 29 Anne (Annie) Marie Louise Bonger-Van der Linden (1859-1931) wife of 30 Annie Bonger-van der Linden31. 32 Andries Bonger33 was also at Theo and Jo34s when Vincent visited them on Sunday, 6 July. Its the second time refers to the fact that Andries had again withdrawn his offer to start up a business with Theo. See Brief happiness 1999, p. 249. 35 Johanna (Jo or Net) Gezina van Gogh-Bonger (1862-1925) wife of Theo van Gogh