A Sister's Book, A Brother's Love, A Family's Support

 

Personal Recollections of Vincent van Gogh

By Elisabeth Huberta Du Quesne-van Gogh, 1913

"The parents of the painter were bombarded with questions from well-meaning friends and relatives.

Alas, in our state of society, though it surely is not a pleasing custom, each one presumes to have the right to pass judgment upon a fellow-being, and feels called upon to offer advice, especially with the bringing-up of children. "If that were my son, or my daughter, I would" — and then follows exactly the opposite of what the parents had deemed or chosen as the wisest measure.

"If I were as wealthy as these people, I would surely or I would surely not, etc.," — and then follows something which again contradicts itself. And so in this case a hundred tongues let themselves be heard, each with a different opinion, and every one was, of course, convinced that to follow his special advice would be the best for Vincent.

It would never do for a young man of twenty-eight not to support himself. He ought to be treated differently. He should be made to dress better, to go among people instead of shunning them, to behave like others (as if it were not a privilege to be one's self and not like every one else). His father should be more severe, and if that did not help, send him to an institution, etc., etc. This was the form the good advice took. As if the parents had not suffered sufficiently to find themselves robbed of all their fond hopes, besides the ever growing financial difficulties which were pressing upon them. The technique of their son demanded much paint, and paint is expensive. To add to their disappointment, they in no way admired his work. What they liked he scorned, and what satisfied him was in their eyes bad taste. 

~~~~~~~~ Van Gogh supported this model and her five children on his allowance from his father.