To Theo . Auvers-sur-Oise, Wednesday, 23 July 1890.

Wednesday, 23 July 1890

Metadata Source status: Original manuscript

Location: Amsterdam, , inv. nos. b699 a-c V/1962

Date: Considering that thanks Theo for his letter of today (l. 1*), which was letter 901 of 22 July, and because Jo van Gogh-Bonger dated the present letter in Brieven 1914 to 23 July 1890 she might have had a postmark to rely on we have also maintained the dating to Wednesday, 23 July 1890. Theo referred to the present letter in a letter he wrote to Jo on 25 July (see Brief happiness 1999, p. 261).

Additional: An earlier, unfinished version of this letter was RM25. Van Gogh enclosed two orders for paint, one for himself and another for Hirschig.

Original [1r:1] Mon cher frre, Merci de ta lettre daujourdhui et du billet de 50 fr. quelle contenait. 1 Je voudrais peuttre tcrire sur bien des chses mais dabord lenvie men a tellement passe, puis jen sens linutilit. 2 Jespre que tu auras retrouv ces messieurs5 dans de bonnes dispositions ton gard.

1 This was letter 901. 2 On 25 July 1890, Theo wrote to Jo3 about this letter: There was a letter from Vincent which again I find incomprehensible. Weve not fallen out, either with him or with each other. He wasnt even aware that Dries4 had refused to enter into a joint venture. His letter included a couple of sketches of paintings hes working on, which look very nice. If only he could find someone to buy a couple from him, but Im afraid this could still take a very long time. But one cannot drop him when hes working so hard and so well. When will a happy time come for him? Hes so thoroughly good and helped me so much to keep going. Jo answered on 26 July: What might be the matter with Vincent? Did we go too far the day he came? My dearest, I have firmly resolved never to squabble with you again and always do what you wish (FR b2063 and b4241; Brief happiness 1999, pp. 261-264). 5 Theos employers at Boussod, Valadon & Cie.

1 2 To Theo van Gogh. Auvers-sur-Oise, Wednesday, 23 July 1890.

Pour ce qui est de ltat de paix dans ton mnage, je suis autant convaincu de la possibilit de la conserver que des orages qui la menacent. Je prfre ne pas oublier le peu de francais que je sais et certes ne saurais voir lutilit dapprofondir le tort ou la raison dans des discussions ventuelles de part ou autre. 6 Seulement cela mintresserait pas. Ici les chses vont vite Dries, toi et moi nen sommes nous pas un peu plus convaincus, le sentons nous pas un peu davantage que ces dames. 9 Tant mieux pour elles mais enfin causer tte repose, nous ny comptons mme pas. En ce qui me regarde je mapplique sur mes toiles avec toute mon attention, je cherche faire aussi bien que de certains peintres que jai beaucoup aim et admir.[1v:2] Ce quil me semble en revenant cest que les peintres eux mmes sont de plus en plus aux abois. Bon . mais le moment de chercher leur faire comprendre lutilit dune union nest il pas un peu pass dj. Dautre part une union, se formerait elle, sombrerait si le reste doive sombrer. Alors tu me dirais peuttre que des marchands suniraient pour les impressionistes; ce serait bien passager. Enfin il me semble que linitiative personnelle demeure inefficace, et experience faite, la recommencerait-on? Jai constat avec plaisir que le Gauguin de Bretagne que jai vu etait trs beau12 et il me semble que les autres quil a fait l-bas doivent ltre aussi. Peut-tre verras tu ce croquis du jardin de Daubigny cest une de mes toiles les plus voulues14 jy joins un croquis de vieux chaumes16 et les croquis de 2 toiles de 30

6 During his visit to Theo and Jo7 (see letter 898), Vincent had apparently insisted on speaking French instead of Dutch, and this idea must have met with resistance from Jo and Andries8. 9 This refers to Jo10 and Annie11 (Andriess wife). 12 It cannot be ascertained which Gauguin13 from Brit