Van Gogh’s letters are not just a unique «epistolary heritage», not only rich «material for a biography». This is a kind of literary equivalent of his artistic works, perhaps no less significant for culture. Most of the letters are addressed to the younger brother Theo, and the personality of the addressee plays a paramount role here.
Van Gogh’s letters are not just a unique «epistolary heritage», not only rich «material for a biography». This is a kind of literary equivalent of his artistic works, perhaps no less significant for culture. Most of the letters are addressed to the younger brother Theo, and the personality of the addressee plays a paramount role here. Like-minded, nanny, philanthropist, art dealer — Theo was everything for his brother at once. The artist considered him a co-author of his paintings. Symbiosis is the most accurate word to describe their relationship. Hence the extreme self-disclosure that strikes in Vincent’s letters to Theo, because he refers to his second «I».
ABC Classics, 380 p.