26 July 1882, The Hague. Vincent van Gogh

18721873187418751876187718781879188018811882--1 – 2 January 1882, The Hague--5 – 6 January 1882, The Hague--5 – 8 January 1882, The Hague --12 – 16 January 1882, The Hague--21 January 1882, The Hague--22 January 1882, The Hague--26 January 1882, The Hague--13 February 1882, The Hague--13 February 1882, The Hague--18 February 1882, The Hague --25 February 1882, The Hague--3 March 1882, The Hague--5 – 9 March 1882, The Hague--11 March 1882, The Hague--11 March 1882, The Hague--14 – 18 March 1882, The Hague--24 March 1882, The Hague--early April, 1882, The Hague--early April, 1882, The Hague--10 April 1882, The Hague--15 April 1882, The Hague--15 – 27 April 1882, The Hague--15 – 27 April 1882, The Hague--15 – 27 April 1882, The Hague--late April, 1882, The Hague--1 May 1882, The Hague--2 May 1882, The Hague--3 – 12 May 1882, The Hague-- 4 – 12 May 1882, The Hague--12 or 13 May 1882, The Hague--14 May 1882, The Hague--14 May 1882, The Hague--16 May 1882, The Hague--23 May 1882, The Hague--27 May 1882, The Hague--30 May 1882, The Hague--1 – 2 June 1882, The Hague --2 – 3 June 1882, The Hague--3 June 1882, The Hague--8 or 9 June 1882, The Hague--8 – 10 June 1882, The Hague--22 June 1882, The Hague--1 July 1882, The Hague--2 July 1882, The Hague--4 July 1882, The Hague-- 6 July 1882, The Hague --6 July 1882, The Hague--7 July 1882, The Hague--15 – 16 July 1882, The Hague --19 July 1882, The Hague--19 July 1882, The Hague--21 July 1882, The Hague--23 July 1882, The Hague--26 July 1882, The Hague--31 July 1882, The Hague--5 August 1882, The Hague--5 or 6 August 1882, The Hague--10 – 12 August 1882, The Hague--15 August 1882, The Hague--19 August 1882, The Hague--20 August 1882, The Hague--3 September 1882, The Hague--9 September 1882, The Hague--11 September 1882, The Hague--17 September 1882, The Hague--18 September 1882, The Hague--25 September 1882, The Hague--1 October 1882, The Hague--8 October 1882, The Hague--10 October 1882, The Hague--22 October 1882, The Hague--29 October 1882, The Hague--1 November 1882, The Hague--2 or 3 November 1882, The Hague--5 November 1882, The Hague--6 – 8 November 1882, The Hague--14 November 1882, The Hague--16 November 1882, The Hague--22 November 1882, The Hague--24 November 1882, The Hague--26 and 27 November 1882, The Hague--1 December 1882, The Hague--2 or 3 December 1882, The Hague--3 – 5 December 1882, The Hague--11 December 1882, The Hague--12 – 18 December 1882, The Hague--21 December 1882, The Hague--28 – 30 December 1882, The Hague--31 December 1882 and 2 January 1883, The Hague1883

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The HagueThe Hague (Dutch: Den Haag). The Hague is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands and it is the capital of South Holland province. It is also one of the five constituent parts of the Randstad metropolitan area - the other being ...
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >>, 26 July 1882
Wednesday morning

Dear Theo,

I do not want you to imagine my being in a depressed or abnormal mood. And therefore I already wrote you in my last letter about my work, and as I have to ask you a few things in connection with it, I will not put off writing again.

When you come, I want to try and show you some watercolours done in different ways. Then we can see and talk over what you think is best. So I work regularly on that every day, and will continue to do so until you come.

I have now made three of ScheveningenScheveningen is one of the 8 districts and 9 subdistricts of The Hague, lying on the seashore. It was first mentioned on official documents in 1280 - then it was mainly a fishing place. Nowadays it is a seaside resort with all the necessary attributes: a beach, a pier, a lighthouse and even a section for naturists, or - more common denotation - nudists.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >>, also the “Fish Drying Barns,” which you know – drawn as elaborately – but now there is colour too. I am sure you know, Theo, that it is not more difficult to work in colour than in black and white; indeed, perhaps the reverse, for as far as I can see, three-fourths of it depends on the origional sketch, and almost the whole watercolour rests on its quality.

It is not sufficient to give an a peu pres; it was and is my aim to intensify it.

In the black-and-white “Fish Drying Barns” that is already apparent, I think, for in them you can follow everything and trace the composition of the whole. And look here, I think the reason for my working so much more easily in watercolours is that I have tried so hard and for such a long time to draw more correctly.

Tersteeg called my activities a waste of time, but you will soon see that I have gained time. I already feel it now, and when you come, you will see it for yourself.

This evening I made the rounds of all the shops, looking for the thick IngresJean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (August, 24, 1780 - January, 14, 1867) - a famous French painter of neoclassical movement most famous for his portraits. He was taught by his father, versatile artist himself, Jean-Marie-Joseph Ingres, then in Toulouse ...
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >> paper, but had no luck. They have the thin kind, but not the thick or “double.” Some time ago I bought out all of Stam’s supply, and since it had been in stock for some time, it had turned a fine colour. When you come, do try to bring some for me. And if you cannot get it, ask for papier de la forme, which is cream coloured, strong, and one can wash on it. I also think it is much cheaper than Harding or Whatman, so that in the long run it saves a great deal.

When you come, I know a few beautiful paths through the meadows where it is so quiet and restful that I am sure you will like it. There I discovered old and new labourers’ cottages and other houses that are characteristic, with little gardens by the water’s edge, very cosy. I will go and draw there early tomorrow morning. It is a road which runs through the meadows of the Schenkweg to Enthoven’s factory or the Zieke.

I saw a dead willow trunk there, just the thing for Barye, for instance. It was hanging over a pool that was covered with reeds, quite alone and melancholyMelancholy - a sombre, depressed or thoughtful state of mind, usually sustained for a long period of time. The word is related to the ancient division of human temperaments into four types based on peculiarities of one's organism: melancholic (predominant liquid - black bile); choleric (predominant liquid - yellow bile); sanguine (predominant liquid - blood); phlegmatic (predominant liquid - phlegm).
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >>, greenish, yellowish, but mostly a dull black, with bare white spots and knotted branches. I am going to attack it tomorrow morning.

I also did a bleaching-ground at ScheveningenScheveningen is one of the 8 districts and 9 subdistricts of The Hague, lying on the seashore. It was first mentioned on official documents in 1280 - then it was mainly a fishing place. Nowadays it is a seaside resort with all the necessary attributes: a beach, a pier, a lighthouse and even a section for naturists, or - more common denotation - nudists.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >> right on the spot, washed in at one sitting, almost without preparation, on a piece of very coarse Torchon (unbleached linen) [F None, JH 163]. Enclosed a few small sketches of it. About the time of your arrival I will have some things to show you. I think you will like that “Fish Drying Barn” now that it is done in colour [F 945, JH 160].

Be sure, boy, that I am quite my old self again, and be sure I believe that all depends on the work, and that I consider everything in direct relation to it. The new studio is a great improvement on the old one; it makes work easier, and it is much better for posing especially because one can take a greater distance.

I am sure that the extra rent I pay is made up for by better work.

But I have a favour to ask. I could very well understand, and it would be very natural if, instead of sending money on the first of August, you gave it to me when you came, for instance on the seventh of August. But as I bought paper and paint and brushes as soon as I received your last letter, and shall need a few other things about the first of August, I beg you kindly to send me the money about the first, though you will be coming soon after. For I figured it out exactly, and I shall be absolutely penniless after the first few days of August. I hope it will not be inconvenient for you. Of course I am not asking for more, but I am asking you to send it on time, on the first day of August if possible, if not, in the first days of the month.

I also have a second drawingDrawing - is a picture made with a pencil, pen or a crayon.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >> of the RijswijkRijswijk is a The Hague suburb with total area about 14 km2 and population approximately of 50 thousand people. It is considered to be founded in 13th century.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >> meadow, in which the same subject gets quite a different aspect through a change of viewpoint [F927, JH 161].

You see I am quite taken up by landscapeLandscape - a picture, drawing or another work of art depicting countryside or nature.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >>, but it is because Sien is not yet fit to pose; nevertheless, the figure remains the principalPrincipal - person in charge, having a highest post or rank in an organization; head, director.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >> thing for me.

When you come, I shall take care to be near the house as long as you are in town so you will know where to find me; and then while you attend to business and pay your calls, I will go on drawingDrawing - is a picture made with a pencil, pen or a crayon.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >> as usual. I can meet you by appointment wherever you wish, but for several reasons it is better for us both, I think, if I do not go with you to see Tersteeg or Mauve, etc. and then, I am so used to my working clothes, in which I can lie or sit on the sand or the grass, whichever is necessary (for in the dunes I never use a chair, only an old fish basket sometimes); so my dress is a little too Robinson Crusoe-like for paying calls with you.

I tell you this before your visit so that you may know that I will not be any trouble to you, but for the rest you will understand that I actually long for every half hour that you can spare. I think we shall feel easier with each other if we stick to the subject of painting and drawingDrawing - is a picture made with a pencil, pen or a crayon.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >>, and talk especially about that. But if there is nothing else which bothers or worries you, then remember I haven’t a single secret from you and you have my full confidence in everything.

I am also very anxious to show you the wood engravings. I have a splendid new one, a drawingDrawing - is a picture made with a pencil, pen or a crayon.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >> by Fildes, “The Empty Chair of Dickens,” from the Graphic of 1870.

I could have bought three etchings by Meyron for 2 guilders, but I let them go. They were indeed very beautiful, but I have so few etchings, and when I buy anything, I stick to wood engravings. But I wanted to tell you about them – Blok is the one who has them; I don’t know if all Meryons are rare and have any money value. They are from an old series L’Artiste.

I am still wrapped up in those books by Zola. How he painted those Halles!

My health is pretty good, but I still feel the effect of my illness and will continue to for a pretty long time. Sien and the baby are well and are getting stronger, and I love them both.

Someday I must do the cradle in watercolour (when it is rainy and I cannot work outside). But for the rest I want to show you landscapeLandscape - a picture, drawing or another work of art depicting countryside or nature.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >> watercolours when you come. I hope to do figure watercolours this winter after I have been here a year. First I shall have to draw more from the nude, and more in black and white too, I think. We shall talk all that over, and I am sure that your visit will contribute much toward keeping things in order and making the work go smoothly.

Adieu, with a handshakeHandshake - a form of expression of greeting, farewell or gratitude and other positive emotions of one person towards another person manifesting itself in taking and shaking their right hands.
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Vincent van Gogh letters dictionary >>,

Yours sincerely, Vincent

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