To Theo van Gogh. Arles, on or about Sunday, 1 April 1888.

on or about Sunday, 1 April 1888

Metadata Source status: Original manuscript

Location: Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum, inv. no. b512 V/1962

Date: Vincent thanks Theo for his letter and the enclosed money. This must have been the allowance of about Sunday, 1 April, since he tells Theo that he had recently received a letter from Willemien, to which he had replied immediately with letter 590 of about 30 March; the present letter must therefore have been written later. We have consequently dated it on or about Sunday, 1 April 1888.

Additional: Original [1r:1] Mon cher Theo, merci de ta lettre ainsi que du billet de fr 50 y-inclus. Jaurais tcrire mon aise mais dois le faire en grande hte. Dabord toujours encore Tersteeg. Suis trs-content de ce que ton envoi parte Lundi et en somme peut-tre aussi de ce quil sy trouve une toile de moi.1 Cependant celle l ne compte pas puisque jespre que tu trouveras bien ce que je viens de faire & dont la consquence sera quune nouvelle toile de moi sen aille en Hollande. Javais travaill une toile de 20 en plein air dans un verger un terrain lilas labour, une cloture en roseaux deux pchers roses

1 The consignment to Tersteeg2 included The Seine with the Clichy bridge (F 303 / JH 1323); it arrived in The Hague on 6 April (see letter 589, n. 4).

1 2 To Theo van Gogh. Arles, on or about Sunday, 1 April 1888.

contre un ciel glorieux bleu et blanc. 3 Probable4 le meilleur paysage que jaie fait. Au moment o je lai rapport chez moi je reois de la part de notre soeur un crit Hollandais ddi la mmoire de Mauve avec son portrait (fort bien le portrait), le texte mal et disant rien eauforte jolie.5 Seulement un je ne sais quoi ma empoign et serr la gorge[1v:2] dmotion et jai crit sur mon tableau Souvenir de Mauve Vincent & Theo 8 et si tu le trouves bien tel quel nous lenverrons nous deux Mme Mauve. Jai exprs pris la meilleure etude que jaie fabrique ici, je sais pas ce quils en diront chez nous mais cela nous est gal. Il me semblait quil fallait en mmoire de Mauve quelque chse et de tendre et de trs gai et non pas une tude dans une gamme plus srieuse que cela. Ne crois pas que les morts soient morts Tant quil y aura des vivants Les morts vivront , les morts vivront. 9 Cest comme a que je sens la chse, pas plus triste que cela. En outre de cela jai maintenant encore 4 ou 5 autres tudes de vergers11 et vais commencer une [1v:3] toile de 30 du mme sujet. 12

3 Pink peach trees (Souvenir de Mauve) (F 394 / JH 1379); see further on this work: letter 590, n. 5.

4 Read: Probablement.

5 The weekly newspaper De Portefeuille had published an article dedicated to the memory of Mauve6, which also appeared in an extended offprint. It must have been this offprint that Van Gogh had received from his sister7, because it had the portrait of Mauve on the first page, whereas this was not printed in the paper. See E. Rittner Bos, In memoriam Anton Mauve, overl. 6 februari 1888, De Portefeuille. Kunst- en Letterbode 9 (1887-1888), vol. 1, pp. 647-648. The offprint was titled In memoriam A. Mauve (Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum Library) and also contained Hendrik Adriaan Christiaan Dekker, A. Mauve (originally in De Portefeuille. Kunst- en Letterbode 9 (1887-1888), vol. 1, pp. 237-239) and an epilogue. The portrait survived in the estate (t*1371). Ill. 2176. 8 For the altered inscription on the painting, see letter 590, n. 7.

9 The opening and closing lines of the song that Miarka, the central character in Jean Richepin10s Miarka, la fille lourse , sings in a sad, soft voice, through the rain and through her tears (une voix triste et douce, travers la pluie et travers ses larmes). 5th ed. Paris n.d., livre quatrime, p. 237. The poem was set to music by Ernst Amde Chausson, as the first of his Deux chansons de Miarka, op. 17, 1888. 11 In letter 590 Van Gogh said he was working on six studies. These probably included besides the Pink peach trees (Souvenir de Mauve) (F 394/ JH 1379) mentioned above Orchard with apricot trees in blossom (F 553 / JH 1387), Orchard with apricot trees in blossom (F 556 / JH 1383) and Peach tree in blossom (F 557 / JH 1397); the rest cannot be identified. See letter 590, n. 4.

12 We do not know of a no. 30 work from this period, nor a no. 25 canvas (which Van Gogh sometimes described as a no. 30). Van Gogh probably postponed his plan, since in letter 593 he said he was waiting for an absorbent To Theo van Gogh. Arles, on or about Sunday, 1 April 1888. 3

Ce blanc de zinc que jemploie maintenant ne sche point. Si tout tait sec je ferais un envoi immdiatement. Seulement tous les jours sont bons maintenant, non quant au temps, il y a au contraire 3 jours de vent sur une journe tranquilles, mais quant aux motifs de vergers fleuris. jai beaucoup de mal en peignant cause du vent mais jattache mon chevalet des piquets plants dans le terrain13 et travaille quand mme, cest trop beau. Maintenant continue ferme les relations avec Tersteeg. Succes ou pas, dans un an je suis port croire que cela y sera. Il me semble que Tersteeg & non pas Reid doive maintenant fonder lexposition impressioniste en Angleterre. Je naime aucunement la faon dagir de Reid notre gard, il me semble drole que Guillaumin et toi ne se soient pas dj arrangs pour annuler la vente du tableau [1r:4] en question. 15 Tu peux hardiment dire de ma part Guillaumin que tel est dcidement mon avis, et tant dans lintrt de G. lui-meme que dans lintret des affaires en gnral. le prix etait dj derisoire . Ou bien Reid, aprs ce qui sest pass, doit acheter ferme, ou bien les artistes doivent lui fermer la porte au nez. Jai vu a comme a dans le temps et rflexion faite je vois encore la chse comme a. Pour 300 francs on compromet les ventes prochaines, mais cest trs malheureux. Y a-t-il moyen que tu lachtes pour nous, le tableau en question. 18 Faudrait que Tersteeg sache tout ce qui est de laffaire Reid et quil sache quil a un concurrent pour laffaire no. 30 canvas. See further letter 594, n. 2.

13 Cf. letter 628 to Emile Bernard14, where a passage about the same method is illustrated with a sketch. 15 Reid16 evidently wanted to buy a work from Guillaumin17 at a low price, and the latter had complained to Theo (cf. undated letter from Guillaumin to Theo, sale Piasa, Htel Drouot, Paris, 20 November 2008, lot 201). 18 We do not know whether Theo did indeed buy Guillaumin19s work at this time. There were four Guillaumins in his estate; two of them, Self-portrait with palette and Portrait of a young woman , are now in the Van Gogh Museum. See Account book 2002, p. 22, and cat. Amsterdam 1987, pp. 350-351. 4 To Theo van Gogh. Arles, on or about Sunday, 1 April 1888.

Angleterre et quon prfererait que ce soit lui qui le fasse. Dailleurs a me regarde pas, a regarde la maison Boussod Val. laquelle vous appartenez, Tersteeg & toi. En grande hte. t. . t. Vincent Bien le bonjour Koning & demain jespre si jai le temps dcrire.

Translation [1r:1] My dear Theo, Thanks for your letter and for the 50-franc note enclosed in it. I would have things to write to you at leisure but have to do so in great haste. First of all, Tersteeg20 once again. Am very pleased that your consignment goes off on Monday and after all, perhaps also because theres a canvas of mine in it.21 However, that one doesnt count, because I hope youll think what Ive just done is good and that it will mean a new canvas of mine goes off to Holland. Id worked on a no. 20 canvas in the open air in an orchard ploughed lilac field, a reed fence two pink peach trees against a glorious blue and white sky.23 Probably the best landscape Ive done. Just as I brought it home I received from our sister a piece in Dutch dedicated to Mauve24s memory, with his portrait (really good, the portrait), the text poor and saying nothing pretty [1v:2] etching.25 But something or other grabbed hold of me and made my throat tight with emotion, and I wrote on my painting Souvenir de Mauve Vincent & Theo 28 and if you think its good as it stands well send it to Mrs Mauve29 in both our names. I deliberately took the best study Ive made here, I dont know what theyll say about it back home, but thats neither here nor there to us. It seemed to me that in memory of Mauve30 we needed something that was both tender and very cheerful and not a study in a more serious key than that. Dont believe that the dead are dead. While there are people still alive The dead will live, the dead will live. 31

20 Hermanus Gijsbertus Tersteeg (H.G.T., T. or Mr T.) (1845-1927) art dealer at the Goupil gallery in The Hague 21 The consignment to Tersteeg22 included The Seine with the Clichy bridge (F 303 / JH 1323); it arrived in The Hague on 6 April (see letter 589, n. 4). 23 Pink peach trees (Souvenir de Mauve) (F 394 / JH 1379); see further on this work: letter 590, n. 5.

24 Anton Mauve (1838-1888) Dutch artist 25 The weekly newspaper De Portefeuille had published an article dedicated to the memory of Mauve26, which also appeared in an extended offprint. It must have been this offprint that Van Gogh had received from his sister27, because it had the portrait of Mauve on the first page, whereas this was not printed in the paper. See E. Rittner Bos, In memoriam Anton Mauve, overl. 6 februari 1888, De Portefeuille. Kunst- en Letterbode 9 (1887-1888), vol. 1, pp. 647-648. The offprint was titled In memoriam A. Mauve (Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum Library) and also contained Hendrik Adriaan Christiaan Dekker, A. Mauve (originally in De Portefeuille. Kunst- en Letterbode 9 (1887-1888), vol. 1, pp. 237-239) and an epilogue. The portrait survived in the estate (t*1371). Ill. 2176. 28 For the altered inscription on the painting, see letter 590, n. 7.

29 Aritte (Jet) Sophia Jeanette Mauve-Carbentus (1856-1894) wife of Anton Mauve 30 Anton Mauve (1838-1888) Dutch artist 31 The opening and closing lines of the song that Miarka, the central character in Jean Richepin32s Miarka, la fille lourse , sings in a sad, soft voice, through the rain and through her tears (une voix triste et douce, travers la To Theo van Gogh. Arles, on or about Sunday, 1 April 1888. 5

Thats how I feel the thing, no sadder than that. In addition to that I now have another 4 or 5 studies of orchards33 and Im going to start a no. 30 canvas of the same subject.34 [1v:3] This zinc white that Im using now doesnt dry. If everything was dry Id send a consignment at once. Only the days are all good now, not in terms of the weather, on the contrary, there are 3 windy days for one still one, but as for the subjects of orchards in blossom. I have a lot of trouble painting because of the wind, but I fix my easel to pegs stuck in the ground35 and work anyway, its too beautiful. Now be steadfast in keeping up relations with Tersteeg37. Success or not, in a year Im inclined to believe it will be there. It seems to me that Tersteeg38 and not Reid39 should now set up the Impressionist exhibition in England. I dont at all like Reid40s way of behaving towards us, it seems funny to me that you and Guillaumin41 havent already arranged to cancel the sale of the painting in question.42 You can tell [1r:4] Guillaumin boldly from me that thats my firm opinion, and as much in the interests of G. himself as in the interests of business in general. The price was already derisory. Either Reid45, after what has happened, should buy outright, or the artists should shut the door in his face. Thats how Ive seen it in the past, and on further reflection I still see it like that. For 300 francs were compromising further sales, but its very sad. Is there any way for you to buy it for us, the painting in question?46 Tersteeg48 should know all about the Reid49 business, and know he has a competitor in the England business and that wed prefer him to be the one who does it. Anyway, thats not my affair, its that of the firm of Boussod Valadon50, to which you belong, you and Tersteeg. In great haste. Ever yours, Vincent pluie et travers ses larmes). 5th ed. Paris n.d., livre quatrime, p. 237. The poem was set to music by Ernst Amde Chausson, as the first of his Deux chansons de Miarka, op. 17, 1888. 33 In letter 590 Van Gogh said he was working on six studies. These probably included besides the Pink peach trees (Souvenir de Mauve) (F 394/ JH 1379) mentioned above Orchard with apricot trees in blossom (F 553 / JH 1387), Orchard with apricot trees in blossom (F 556 / JH 1383) and Peach tree in blossom (F 557 / JH 1397); the rest cannot be identified. See letter 590, n. 4.

34 We do not know of a no. 30 work from this period, nor a no. 25 canvas (which Van Gogh sometimes described as a no. 30). Van Gogh probably postponed his plan, since in letter 593 he said he was waiting for an absorbent no. 30 canvas. See further letter 594, n. 2.

35 Cf. letter 628 to Emile Bernard36, where a passage about the same method is illustrated with a sketch. 37 Hermanus Gijsbertus Tersteeg (H.G.T., T. or Mr T.) (1845-1927) art dealer at the Goupil gallery in The Hague 38 Hermanus Gijsbertus Tersteeg (H.G.T., T. or Mr T.) (1845-1927) art dealer at the Goupil gallery in The Hague 39 Alexander Reid (1854-1928) Scottish art dealer 40 Alexander Reid (1854-1928) Scottish art dealer 41 (Jean Baptiste) Armand Guillaumin (1841-1927) French artist 42 Reid43 evidently wanted to buy a work from Guillaumin44 at a low price, and the latter had complained to Theo (cf. undated letter from Guillaumin to Theo, sale Piasa, Htel Drouot, Paris, 20 November 2008, lot 201). 45 Alexander Reid (1854-1928) Scottish art dealer 46 We do not know whether Theo did indeed buy Guillaumin47s work at this time. There were four Guillaumins in his estate; two of them, Self-portrait with palette and Portrait of a young woman , are now in the Van Gogh Museum. See Account book 2002, p. 22, and cat. Amsterdam 1987, pp. 350-351. 48 Hermanus Gijsbertus Tersteeg (H.G.T., T. or Mr T.) (1845-1927) art dealer at the Goupil gallery in The Hague 49 Alexander Reid (1854-1928) Scottish art dealer 50 Boussod, Valadon & Cie art dealers in Paris, successors of Goupil & Cie 6 To Theo van Gogh. Arles, on or about Sunday, 1 April 1888.

Warm regards to Koning51, and till tomorrow I hope, if I have time to write.

51 Arnold Hendrik Koning (1860-1945) Dutch artist