Vincent van Gogh - Letters from Arles & Drawings

If any of Vincent Van Gogh's work is indeed under-appreciated, it is perhaps the incredible letters he wrote especially during his life's last years in Arles and his travels, c.1882-1890. Not only do they offer poetic and sometimes emotional insight into his motivations, philosophies, and mental health, but are usually beautifully illustrated with images of his very "real" and intimate world.

Many of the letters (most of which were directed to his brother Theo) reveal Van Gogh's thoughts and interpretation of the image within the letter, in almost an artist's legend. He discusses the subject matter, includes literary references, and provides color schematics for the pen and ink drawings ... so the reader can better share his vision. Many of the illustrations became prototypes or studies for later paintings.

In all, Van Gogh left a legacy of almost 900 such letters. Most stand alone beautifully as a day's glimpse into the mind of a genius, often at the brink of unravelling. Further, they provide a gallery of gorgeous and compelling miniatures. The letters have been compiled into six volumes, providing the modern reader a detailed journey into Van Gogh's genius and madness. Further, his narrative is fascinating as it ranges from witty discourse to often inappropriate and abrupt prose:

"Look here, I wrote to you the other day that my vision was strangely tired. Well, I rested for two and a half days, and then I got back to work. But not yet daring to go outside, I did, for my decoration once again, a no. 30 canvas of my bedroom with the whitewood furniture that you know. Ah, well, it amused me enormously doing this bare interior. With a simplicity à la Seurat." (Letter to Paul Gauguin, 1888)

Music by Philip Glass - Dead Things