To Theo van Gogh. Arles, Friday, 4 January 1889.

Friday, 4 January 1889

Metadata Source status: Original manuscript

Location: Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum, inv. no. b613 V/1962

Date: The letter was written when Van Gogh was allowed to leave the hospital for a few hours and went to the Yellow House (ll. 7-11, 40-42). This was on Friday, 4 January 1889, as evidenced by a letter Joseph Roulin sent on this day to Theo (FR b1068).

Additional: Original [1r:1] Mon cher frre Jespre que Gauguin te rassurera completement aussi un peu pour les affaires de la peinture. Je compte bientot reprendre le travail. La femme de mnage et mon ami Roulin avaient pris soin de la maison, avaient tout mis en bon ordre.1 Lorsque je sortirai je pourrai reprendre mon petit chemin ici et bientt la belle saison va venir et je recommencerai les vergers en fleurs.4 Je suis, mon cher frre, si navr de ton voyage, jeusse dsir que cela tet t pargn car

1 Van Gogh was home again for the first time in two weeks, in the company of Roulin2, who informed Theo that he and Vincent had spent four hours in the Yellow House. Roulin went on to write: he is as meek as a lamb (il est doux comme un agneau) (FR b1068). The charwoman was Thrse Balmoissire3. 4 In March-April 1888 Van Gogh had made a series of paintings of orchards in blossom; see letter 600, n. 7.

1 2 To Theo van Gogh. Arles, Friday, 4 January 1889.

en somme aucun mal ne mest arriv et il ny avait pas de quoi[1v:2] te dranger. Je ne saurais te dire combien cela me rejouit que tu aie fait la paix et mme plus que cela avec les Bonger. Dis cela de ma part Andr et serre lui la main bien cordialement pour moi. 5 Que naurais je pas donn pour que tu eusses vu Arles lorsquil y fait beau, maintenant tu las vu en noir. Bon courage cependant, adresse les lettres directement moi, Place Lamartine 2. Jenverrai Gauguin ses tableaux rests la maison aussitt quil le dsirera. Nous lui devons les dpenses faites par lui pour les meubles. 8 Poigne de main, je dois encore rentrer lhpital mais sous peu jen sortirai tout fait. t. t. Vincent Ecris aussi un mot la mre de ma part, que personne ne se fasse des inquietudes.10

Translation [1r:1] My dear brother I hope that Gauguin12 will also completely reassure you a little regarding painting matters. I expect to start work again soon. The charwoman and my friend Roulin13 had taken care of the house, put everything in good order.14 When I come out Ill be able to continue on my way here again, and soon the fine days will come and Ill start on the orchards in blossom again.17 I am, my dear brother, so heartbroken by your journey, I would have wished that youd been [1v:2] spared that, for all in all no harm has come to me, and it wasnt worth troubling you.

5 In the second half of 1887, Theo and Andries Bonger6 had drifted apart, since the latter wanted nothing to do with the bohemian artists with whom Theo associated since Vincents arrival in Paris. See Brief happiness 1999, pp. 20-21. Andriess wife, Annie7, may also have played a role in their estrangement. 8 Gauguin9 had bought a chest of drawers and various household utensils for the Yellow House; see letter 717. 10 Theo must have informed their mother11 straightaway of Vincents condition, because she already answered his letter on 29 December from Leiden (FR b2425). This remarkable letter from Mrs van Gogh was published in its entirety, along with an English translation, in Jansen et al. 2003-2. Vincent also wrote to his mother; see letter 733. 12 Paul (Eugne Henri) Gauguin (1848-1903) French artist 13 Joseph Etienne Roulin (1841-1903) postal worker in Arles and Marseille 14 Van Gogh was home again for the first time in two weeks, in the company of Roulin15, who informed Theo that he and Vincent had spent four hours in the Yellow House. Roulin went on to write: he is as meek as a lamb (il est doux comme un agneau) (FR b1068). The charwoman was Thrse Balmoissire16. 17 In March-April 1888 Van Gogh had made a series of paintings of orchards in blossom; see letter 600, n. 7. To Theo van Gogh. Arles, Friday, 4 January 1889. 3

I cant tell you how much it delights me that youve made peace and even more than that with the Bongers18. Say so on my behalf to Andr, and give him a very cordial handshake from me.19 What wouldnt I have given for you to see Arles in fine weather, now you have seen it when its dark. However, be of good heart, send the letters directly to me, 2, place Lamartine. Ill send Gau- guin22 the paintings of his that are still at the house as soon as he wishes. We owe him the money he spent on the furniture.23 Handshake, I must go back to the hospital again, but shortly Ill leave for good. Ever yours, Vincent Also write a line to Mother25 on my behalf, so that no one will be worried.26

18 Andries (Andr or Dries) Bonger (1861-1936) friend of Theo in Paris, brother of Jo van Gogh-Bonger 19 In the second half of 1887, Theo and Andries Bonger20 had drifted apart, since the latter wanted nothing to do with the bohemian artists with whom Theo associated since Vincents arrival in Paris. See Brief happiness 1999, pp. 20-21. Andriess wife, Annie21, may also have played a role in their estrangement. 22 Paul (Eugne Henri) Gauguin (1848-1903) French artist 23 Gauguin24 had bought a chest of drawers and various household utensils for the Yellow House; see letter 717. 25 Anna Cornelia van Gogh-Carbentus (1819-1907) wife of Theodorus van Gogh, mother of Vincent 26 Theo must have informed their mother27 straightaway of Vincents condition, because she already answered his letter on 29 December from Leiden (FR b2425). This remarkable letter from Mrs van Gogh was published in its entirety, along with an English translation, in Jansen et al. 2003-2. Vincent also wrote to his mother; see letter 733.