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Lot #378
Theo Van Gogh

Two months after Van Gogh’s death, his devoted brother Theo writes to the first journalist to praise Vincent’s talent

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Estimate: $10000+
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Description

Two months after Van Gogh’s death, his devoted brother Theo writes to the first journalist to praise Vincent’s talent

Renowned Dutch art dealer (1857-1891) widely remembered for the significant emotional and financial support of his older brother Vincent van Gogh. Extremely rare ALS in French, signed “T. van Gogh,” one page both sides, 4.25 x 7, September 30, 1890. To Albert Aurier, author of the first published text recognizing Vincent Van Gogh’s art, the only review in the great artist’s lifetime. Two months after Vincent’s death (and less than five before his own), Theo pens a letter to the writer he had in mind for his brother’s biography, hoping to be able to ask him to write the story of Vincent van Gogh's life. In part (translated): "I would be very frustrated if you had come to my door on last Sunday while I wasn’t there. Within our staircases, it is very dark. I had left a message on the door saying I would come back. Nothing can be seen and I was unfortunately half an hour late. If you had waited for me, I beg you to excuse me. My brother and sister in law have had an accident and I had gone to see them. Fortunately they are not gravely hurt. When could you come back in the next few days because I really want to ask you something. And if you come one of these days to the boulevard, there is a superb pastel by Degas, a naked figure and I hope that I will be there if you come by. If it is not the case, please leave a note of when you would like to come to us and I will make everything to arrange that nothing interferes in our meeting." In fine condition. Only four letters of Theo Van Gogh, including this one, have resurfaced in the autograph market in the past fifty years.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
  • Dates: #604 - Ended March 10, 2021





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