Letter 0012: From Vincent van Gogh to Willem J. van Stockum and family London, 7 August 1873 My dear friends, It was a pleasant surprise to receive Caroline's letter. Thanks. With all my heart I hope she is quite well again, and a good thing it is past now! In your next letter I should like to hear more about the last play you wrote. I was really amazed that it was for ten characters. It must be the biggest you have done. These last few days I have enjoyed reading the poems of John Keats. He is a poet who is not very well known in Holland, I think. He is the favorite of all the painters here, and for that reason I started reading him. Here I have included something by him. His best-known poem is 'The Eve of St. Agnes,' but it is rather too long to copy. I haven't visited either the Crystal Palace nor the Tower yet, nor Tussaud’s. I am not in a hurry to see everything. For the moment I am quite satisfied with the museums, parks, etc.. They interest me more. Last Monday was a nice day. The first Monday in August is a holiday here. I went with one of the Germans to Dulwich, an hour and a half outside L., to see the museum there, and after that we took a walk to another village about an hour further on. The countryside is so beautiful here. Many people who have their businesses in London live in a village outside L. and come to the city by train every day. Perhaps I shall do the same thing soon, if I can find a cheap room somewhere. But I find moving so horrible that I shall stay here as long as possible, although everything is not as good as it seemed to me in the beginning. Perhaps it is my own fault, so I will bear with it a little longer. Pardon me if this letter is not as I would wish it to be, for I am writing in a hurry. I want to congratulate you on Willem's birthday and wish you many happy returns. I was pleased to learn that you have renewed your acquaintance with the Tersteeg family. I had been hoping you would for a long time. When you have a chance, write to me and please let me know which photographs you have received - I am curious to know. I received a letter from Marinus, and understand that he is going to Amsterdam. This will be a great change for him, I hope he will do well. I was very glad he wrote to me. A few days ago a brother of Iterson's visited me, and for the first time since May I had a chance to speak Dutch. We live so far apart, much to my regret. Good luck to you. Say hello for me to everyone in the Poten. Best wishes! Yours truly, Vincent Lighten my heart with a letter as soon as you can find time. The Eve of Saint Mark From: Vincent van Gogh To: Willem and Caroline van Stockum-Haanebeek Date: 7 August 1873 Place: London Letter 0012 Translation © vangoghonline.com |
Caroline Adolphina van Stockum-Haanebeek was related to Vincent on his mother's side, distantly, and Willem Jacob van Stockum her husband. They had recently wed, and were friends of Vincent's from his time at The Hague.
Apparently Carolina, also referred to as Caroline, had recently been ill but had recovered. It seems that Willem perhaps wrote short plays to which Vincent refers.
Vincent went to Dulwich with one of the German boarders on the Summer bank holiday when his office would have been closed, and they visited Dulwich Picture Gallery, Britain's oldest gallery that was known for their collection of 16th century artworks.
Willem's birthday was 8 August so Vincent was writing quickly so he could get the letter in the post. Marinus refers to Willem's brother, Casparus Marinus van Stockum.
Teunis van Iterson also worked for Goupil's but it is unclear which brother Vincent is referring to.
The poems at the end are a mix of works. 'The Eve of Saint Mark' seems to have been copied form multiple sources. The poem is unfinished but only some versions state that, and the date 1818 refers to another version. In any case Vincent left out about 20 lines. The quote about imagination is from a letter Keats wrote, and then he ends with the poem ' To Autumn' which would be fitting as Vincent wrote often about autumn being his favorite season.