350

Br. 1990: 352 | CL: 289
From: Vincent van Gogh
To: Theo van Gogh
Date: The Hague, on or about Tuesday, 5 June 1883
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1. The ‘two compositions’ are the drawing Peat diggers in the dunes (F 1031 / JH 363 [2437]) and the unknown drawing of a ‘team of workmen labouring’ (see also letter 348). A ‘small sketch’ of the first is unknown (except for the sketch F 1030 / JH 364, which was sent to Theo with letter 347); the sketch after the second drawing is probably The sandpit at Dekkersduin near The Hague (F 1029 / JH 366 [2439]), which measures 10 x 20.5 cm.
[2437] [2439]
2. Elbert Jan van Wisselingh had worked with Daniel Cottier (see letter 331). He was now an independent art dealer at 52 rue Laffitte in Paris; he lived in the same street as Theo.
3. Van Gogh added the sentence ‘For supposing ... decorative character’ later.
4. The drawing of the rubbish dump is not known.
5. One of the two drawings is probably Old nag (F 1032 / JH 368 [2441]).
[2441]
6. This rubbish dump was near to the gasworks, so just behind N.W. Binnensingel.
7. Later in the letter (l. 70) it becomes apparent that at that point Van Gogh had started two drawings of the rubbish dump; one of them is the one mentioned in l. 42. They are not known. After this, Van Gogh refers only to the one after which the letter sketch is made (with ‘a view’).
8. In the spring of 1882 Van Gogh had quarrelled with both Uncle Cor (C.M.) and H.G. Tersteeg: his uncle reacted unkindly to drawings he had sent; Tersteeg objected to Van Gogh’s way of life and had no confidence in him as an artist (letter 210 ff.).