Pages 26 to 27. Bread and chestnuts: Letter 138, CL, vol. 1, p. 211.
In Love, 1881-83
Page 30. Queer little fellow: The descriptions of Vincent's person and behavior at this time come from interviews with local people of the Brabant who knew him then. In the 1920s Mr. Benno J. Stokvis traveled around the countryside talking to those who remembered the pastor's odd son. Document 165b, CL, vol. 1, p. 290.
Page 31. Vincent confronts the Strickers: Vincent wrote Theo a dramatic and bitterly humorous account of his attempt to see Kee. Letter 164, CL, vol. 1, p. 283.
Page 31. Vincent puts his hand in the lamp: Vincent did not tell his brother this part of the scene with Uncle Strieker until a few months later. Letter 193, CL, vol. 1, p. 351.
Page 32. Vincent leaves the parsonage: Vincent's account to Theo of the quarrel with his father extends over several letters, but in letter 169 Vincent wrote on Theo's letter his answer to Theo's accusation that he had behaved badly, so we have both sides of the correspondence. Letter 169, CL, vol. 1, p. 298.
Page 33. Vincent's account of lessons with Mauve. Letters 170-172, CL, vol. 1, pp. 303-310.
Page 33. You are no artist: Vincent sometimes included dialogue in his letters. In this one he repeats many of Mr. Tersteeg's insults. Letter 179, CL, vol. 1, p. 320.
Page 33. Time you earned your bread: Letter 181, CL, vol. 1, p. 323.
Page 34. You have a vicious character: Letter 192, CL, vol. 1, p. 349.
Page 35. Am I free to marry: Letter 193, CL, vol. 1, p. 352.
Page 35. Parents' threat to put him in a madhouse: Letter 216, CL, vol. 1, p. 411.
Page 36. Who am I in most people's eyes: Letter 218, CL, vol. 1, p. 416.
Page 36. I see that nature has told me: Letter 228, CL, vol. 1, p. 448.
Page 37. Expectation of a short life: Letter 309 (postscript), CL, vol. 2, p. 105.
Page 37. She has never seen what is good: Letter 317, CL, vol. 2, p. 123.
Vincent the Dog, 1883-85
Page 40. I feel what Father and Mother: Letter 346, CL, vol. 2, p. 231.
Page 40. With real courage: Letter from Mr. van Gogh to Theo, V and T, p. 171.
Page 42. The story of Margo Begemann: Vincent was a great reader most of his life. He believed that if he hadn't been a painter, he might have been a realistic novelist. In letters like these, he demonstrates his storytelling ability. Letters 377 and 378, CL, vol. 2, pp. 305-310.
Page 43. I scoff at your technique: One of his pupils in Nuenen, Van de Wakker, talked about Vincent's unusual painting technique. V and T, p. 188.
Page 43. Description of Vincent's studio: Another of Vincent's students was Anton Kerssemaker, a prosperous tanner, who had taken up painting in middle age. He published an amusing account of his days with Vincent. The description comes from him. Document 435c, CL, vol. 2, pp. 443-449.
Page 43. This morning I talked things over with Vincent: Johanna van Gogh-Bonger quoted from Mr. van Gogh's last letter to Theo. Memoir, CL, vol. 1, p. xxxviii.
Page 44. Those people eating and If a peasant picture smells of bacon: Letter 404, CL, vol. 2, p. 370.
Page 45. Vincent on Impressionists: Letter 402, CL, vol. 2, p. 366.
Page 46. Vincent in Antwerp: The fellow pupil at the academy in Antwerp, Mr. Victor Hageman, later recalled the impression Vincent made. Document 458a, CL, vol. 2, p. 507.
Page 47. In a time of financial crisis: Letter 454, CL, vol. 2, p. 497.
A Country Bumpkin in Paris, 1886-87
Page 49. Vincents note to Theo: VGMM, p. 44.
Pages 50-51. Description of the brothers' apartment: Johanna van Gogh-Bonger must have heard about it from Theo and her brother, who often was a guest there. Memoir, CL, vol. 1, p. xl.
Page 51. You would not recognize Vincent: Theo wrote a reassuring letter to their worried mother. V and T, p. 226.
Page 52. Vincent in Corman's studio: V and T, p. 232.
Page 53. Account of Vincent's hissing through his teeth: Hulsker quoted one of Vincent's fellow students, A. S. Hartrick, who wrote his memoirs, including memories of Vincent, in 1939. V and T, p. 231.
Vincent and Friends, 1887-88
Page 56. Suzanne Valadon's story of Vincent at Toulouse-Lautrec's studio told to Florent Fels: TL, p. 53.
Page 57. Tanguy's sale of a painting: TL, p. 51.
Page 59. It is as if he had two persons: V and T, p. 246.
Page 60. What I wanted to make you understand: Vincent wrote this letter to his youngest sister, Wilhelmien. Letter W4, vol. 3, p. 431.
Page 60. You may do something for me: Relatively few letters survive from Theo's side of the correspondence. This is from one of them. Letter T3, CL, vol. 3, p. 533.
Page 60. I will take myself somewhere down south: Letter 462, CL, vol. 2, p. 521.
Vincent in Arles, 1888-89
Page 63. You have no idea of the slackness: Letter B7, CL, vol. 3, p. 495.
Page 64. The women of Arles: Letter 482, CL, vol. 2, p. 558.
Page 64. At present I feel pretty bad: Letter 474, CL, vol. 2, p. 541.
Page 65. At the moment I am absorbed: Letter B3, CL, vol. 3, p. 478.
Page 66. My house here is painted the yellow color: Letter W7, CL, vol. 3, p. 443.
Pages 67 to 68. The Japanese draw quickly: Letter 500, CL, vol. 2, p. 590.
Page 68. I must warn you that everyone will think that I work too fast: Letter 504, CL, vol. 2, p. 598.
Page 68. Landscapes yellow—old gold—done quickly: Vincent often wrote to his fellow artist and friend Bernard about artistic concerns. Letter B9, CL, vol. 3, p. 499.
Page 69. When I come home after a spell: Letter 507, CL, vol. 2, p. 606.
Page 69. The more I am spent, ill, a broken pitcher: Letter 514, CL, vol. 2, p. 620.
Page 69. Happiness in his work: Letter 507, CL, vol. 2, p. 607.
Arles: “A High Yellow Note,” 1888-89
Page 71. Proud as a peacock: Vincent often wrote about Roulin, this time in a letter to Wil. Letter W5, CL, vol. 3, p. 439.
Page 72. Such as an old soldier: Letter 583, CL, vol. 3, p. 148.
Page 72. A man with a small face: Letter 501, CL, vol. 2, p. 591.
Page 73. In my picture I have tried to express: Letter 534, CL vol. 3, p. 31.
Page 73. I want to say something comforting, as music is comforting: Letter 531, CL, vol. 3, p. 25.
Page 75. If by the time I am forty: Letter 563, CL, vol. 3, p. 108.
Page 75. Living on twenty-three cups of coffee: Letter 546, CL, vol. 3, p. 67.
Page 75. Color is to do everything: Vincent was very aware of the psychological effects of color, as this letter shows. Letter 554, CL, vol. 3, p. 86.
Page 76. Paul Gauguin's description of the yellow house: Gauguin gave himself a big pat on the back for his contributions to his friend Vincent's work in the account Avant and Après, published fifteen years after Vincent's death, V and T, p. 312.
Page 77. Our arguments are … electric: Letter 564, CL, vol. 3, p. 109.
Page 77. I think myself that Gauguin was a little out of sorts: Letter 565, CL, vol. 3, p. 110.
Page 79. The story of the ear: There are two versions of what happened on December 23. Dr. Hulsker believes that the first story Gauguin told their mutual friend Bernard about Vincent's terrible accident is more likely the truth than the version Gauguin recounted fifteen years later in his book Avant and Après. The first is the one we have followed. In the second, more melodramatic version of the story, Gauguin claimed that Vincent threatened him with a razor, something he didn't mention at the time. V and T, pp. 322-323.
Page 79. Awaken this man with great care: This quote also came from Gauguin's account in Avant and Après. V and T, p. 323.
Page 79. I am completely recovered: Vincent wrote this letter to his mother and his youngest sister, Wil, who lived with her. Letter 569a, CL, vol. 3, p. 114.
Page 80. Memories of the garden in Groot-Zundert: Letter 573, CL, vol. 3, p. 128.
Page 80. A lulla
by in colors: Vincent wrote this letter to a fellow Dutch artist, A. H. Koning. Letter 571, CL, vol. 3, p. 123.
Page 81. I assure you that I am much calmer: Letter 573, CL, vol. 3, p. 126.
Page 81. In full possession of my faculties and What a staggering blow between the eyes: Vincent describes his unjust imprisonment and asks Theo not to meddle. Letter 579, CL, vol. 3, p. 139.
Pages 81 to 82. Description of Signals visit: Letter 581, CL, vol. 3, p. 145.
Page 82. Signac's account of his visit: Document 590b, CL, vol. 3, p. 166.
Page 82. How dismal the life: Signac wrote to Theo, and also to Vincent, inviting him to come to nearby Cassis to paint. Vincent did not go. Letter 581a, CL, vol. 3, p. 145.
St.-Rémy: The Asylum, 1889-90
Page 86. Doctor's admission notes on Vincent: V and T, p. 352.
Page 86. I have never been so peaceful as here: Vincent wrote this letter to his brother Theo's new wife, Johanna, whom he addressed as Dear Sister. Letter 591, CL, vol. 3, p. 169.
Page 87. The food tastes rather moldy: Letter 592, CL, vol. 3, p. 173.
Page 87. I think I have done well to come here: Letter 591, CL, vol. 3, p. 169.
Page 88. Since it is just the season when there is an abundance of flowers: This letter is an example of one of the many Vincent wrote to Theo asking for more art supplies or money. Letter 593, CL, vol. 3, p. 179.
Page 90. Eat like two: Letter 605, CL, vol. 3, p. 212.
Page 91. I see in this reaper: Letter 604, CL, vol. 3, p. 202.
Page 92. Vincent is upset by Aurier's review: Vincent wrote several more letters on the subject but in the end was grateful for the praise. Letter 626, CL, vol. 3, p. 253.
Page 92. As soon as I heard that my work was having some success: Vincent wrote this letter to his mother and his sister Wil. Letter 629a, CL, vol. 3, p. 262.
Auvers-sur-Oise: The Last Refuge, 1890
Page 95. The sturdy, broad shouldered man and do not cover him up with too much lace: Memoir, CL, vol. 1, p. 1.
Page 96. Bedbug infested hole: Letter 648, CL, vol. 3, p. 293.
Page 96. Description of Auvers: Letter 635, CL, vol. 3, p. 273.
Page 97. Description of Dr. Gachet's house: Letter 635, CL, vol. 3, p. 273.
Page 97. Dr. Gachet's character: Letter 638, CL, vol. 3, p. 276.
Page 97. I should like to paint portraits: Vincent, wrote this letter to Wil. Letter W22, CL, vol. 3, p. 469.
Page 98. Vincent at the Ravoux family's inn and Adeline Ravoux portrait: Adeline Ravoux wrote about Vincent's relationship with her family and the artist painting her portrait years after his death, in 1956. V and T, pp. 423 and 428.
Page 99. The day was so peacefully …: Memoirs, CL, vol. 1, p. Hi.
Page 100. My impression is that since we were all rather stupefied: Letter 647, CL, vol. 3, p. 293.
Page 100. It is no slight thing: Letter 649, CL, vol. 3, p. 495.
Pages 100 to 101. I think we must not count on Dr. Gachet: Letter 648, CL, vol. 3, p. 294.
Page 101. Account of the episode over the painting with Dr. Gachet recounted in 1956 by Paul Gachet, his son, who indicated that his father thought Vincent might have had a gun in his pocket, but Paul Gachet later retracted the story. V and T, pp. 442-443.
Pages 101 to 102. Last letter found in Vincent's pocket: Letter 652, CL, vol. 3, p. 298.
Page 102. Vincent returns wounded to the inn: This account is part of the memoir written by Adeline Ravoux in 1956. V and T, p. 444.
Page 103. Vincent's funeral: Vincent's friend Bernard described the funeral in a letter to the critic Aurier. VGSRA, p. 219.
Page 103. Oh Mother, he was: Johanna van Gogh-Bonger quoted Theo's letter to his mother in her memoir. CL, vol. 1, p. liii.
Bonafoux, Pascal. Van Gogh: The Passionate Eye. Translated by Anthony Zielonka. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1992.
Cabanne, Pierre. Van Gogh. London: Thames and Hudson, 1963.
Dorn, Roland, and Keyes, George S. et al. Van Gogh Face to Face: The Portraits. New York: Detroit Institute of Arts/Thames and Hudson, 2000.
Erickson, Kathleen Powers. At Eternity's Gate: The Spiritual Vision of Vincent van Gogh. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans, 1998.
Hammacher, A. M., and Renilde Hammacher. Van Gogh. London: Thames and Hudson, 1982.
Heinich, Nathalie. The Gbry of Van Gogh: An Anthropology of Admiration. Translated by Paul Leduc Browne. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996.
Homburg, Cornelia et al. Vincent van Gogh and the Painters of the Petit Boulevard. New York: Saint Louis Art Museum/Rizzoli International, 2001.
Hulsker, Jan. Vincent and Theo Van Gogh: A Dual Biography. Ann Arbor: Fuller Publications, 1990.
Lubin, Albert J. Stranger on the Earth: A Psychological Biography of Vincent van Gogh. New York: Henry Holt/Da Capo Press, 1996.
McQuillan, Melissa. Van Gogh. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1989.
Nemeczek, Alfred. Van Gogh in Arles. New York: Prestel, 1995.
Pickvance, Ronald. Van Gogh in Arles. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art/Harry Abrams, 1984.
Pickvance, Ronald. Van Gogh in St.-Rémy and Auvers. New York: Metro politan Museum of Art/Harry N. Abrams, 1986.
Saltzman, Cynthia. Portrait of Dr. Gacheu The Story of a Van Gogjh Masterpiece. New York: Viking, 1998.
Schapiro, Meyer. Van Gogh. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1983.
Stone, Irving, ed. Dear Theo: The Autobiography of Vincent van Gogh. New York: Plume, 1995.
Uitert, Evert van, et al. Vincent Van Gogh. 2 vols. New York: Rizzoli, 1990.
Wallace, Robert. The World of Van Gogh, 1853-1890. New York: Time-Life Books, 1969.
Editions of Letters
Van Gogh: A Self Portrait. Selected by W. H. Auden. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1961.
The Letters of Vincent van Gogh. Selected and edited by Ronald de Leeuw, translated by Arnold Pomerans. New York: Penguin, 1996.
The Letters of Vincent van Gogh. Edited and introduced by Mark Roskill. New York: Touchstone/Simon and Schuster, 1997.
The Complete Letters of Vincent van Gogh. 3 vols. Boston: Little, Brown, 1958.
Reproductions are by permission of the owners of the original works, who supplied color transparencies and black-and-white photographs, except in the following cases:
Le Père Tanguy/Photo Erich Lessing/Art Resource, New York
Portrait of Dr. Paul Gochet/Photo Erich Lessing/Art Resource, New York
Portrait of Eugène Boch/Photo Erich Lessing/Art Resource, New York
Vincent's Bedroom at Arles/Photo Art Resource, New York
Wheatfield with Crows/Photo Art Resource, New York
Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan are the authors of several acclaimed books about art, including Frank O. Gehry: Outside In and Chuck Close Up Close, as well as three companion books, The Painter's Eye, The Sculptor's Eye, and The American Eye. Greenberg, the author of many noteworthy books for young readers as well as a teacher and an art educator, lives in St. Louis. Jordan, an editor and a photographer as well as a writer, lives in New York.
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