Quotes from Vincent van Gogh
May 25, 2015
Do you find these quotes as dear, ironic and encouraging as I do?
Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853. In July 1880, he wrote to his brother, Theo,
It’s true that occasionally I’ve earned my crust of bread, occasionally a friend has given it to me in charity. I’ve lived as I could, as luck would have it. It’s true that I have lost the confidence of various people; it’s true that my financial affairs are in a sorry state; it’s true that the future is just as gloomy; it’s true that I might have done better; it’s true that I’ve lost time in terms of earning my living; it’s true that my studies are in a rather depressing and hopeless condition, and that my failings are greater – infinitely greater – than my achievements. But is that “going downhill”? Is that “doing nothing”?
You will perhaps say, “But why didn’t you continue as they wanted you to, and go to the university?” My only answer is that it cost too much and besides, that future was not much better than the one which I now face. But I must continue on the path I’ve taken. If I don’t do anything, if I don’t study, if I don’t go on seeking any longer, I am lost. Then woe is me. That’s how I look at it: what is necessary is to keep going on.
But you ask, “What is your definite aim?” That aim becomes more definite, will stand out slowly and surely, as the rough draft becomes a sketch and the sketch a picture – little by little, by working seriously on it, by pondering on the first vague idea, the first fleeting and passing thought, so as to fix it. You should know that with evangelists it’s the same as with artists.
His brother, Theo, an art dealer, provided Vincent the financial support that allowed him to continue painting, though his work did not sell!
Here is excerpt from another letter:
As you – Theo – will remember, when you were here, you said that some day I should try to send you a little drawing of a “saleable” nature. However, you must excuse my not knowing precisely when a drawing is of that kind and when it is not. I used to think I knew, but now I see day by day that I’m mistaken.
I thank Vincent van Gogh for his persistence. I thank Theo for his brotherly love and support.
These quotes are from the book, A Kind of Bible, Vincent van Gogh as Evangelist, by Anton Wessels.
If you would like to learn more about Vincent, my favorite documentary is an animation entitled Loving Vincent available on YouTube. You can see it here.
Vincent was the epitome of persistence, knowing full well that he was probably ahead of his time, but that he was almost condemned to walk that path - when so many didn't dare to do, he dared. That kind of artistic courage is what I've always admired in people like Beethoven, Miles Davis, Henry Miller, Jackson Pollock, and Frank Zappa - a willingness to do differently, to dare, which in my view is worth far more than what genius endows and leads to greater growth throughout careers and lives. None of them set out being particularly gifted - they worked at it to reach the greatness they achieved.