1878 Return to Etten, then to Brussels with his farther to begin a three month course for lay preachers. Vincent is found unsuited to the job of lay preacher. Hoping to satisfy his sense of religious calling, Vincent goes to the Borinage, a coal-mining district in Belgium, near the French border. Where he lives in proverty.





1879 January-July. Assigned to Wasmes in the Borinage for six months as a lay preacher. Appalled at the frightful conditions the miners live in. His social commitment irritates his superiors, and they allow his commission to lapse on the grounds that he has no rhetotical talent.



August: Journeys to Brussels on foot, to ask the advice of Pastor Pieteresn and show him his sketches of miners. Returns to Cuesmes in the mining district, and continues doing the same work unpaid, till July 1880. Though he is living in proverty himself, he does all he can do to help the needy. It is a critical period for Vincent, one that is to leave its mark on his subsequent life.





1880 July: Vincent writes to Theo, who is now working at the Paris office of Goupil and gives him financial support. Vincent describes his own agonizing uncertainty.



August- September: Devotes his time to draw scenes of life in a mining community. Theo encourages him. Copies wroks by Millet.



October: Vincent goes to Brussels and studies anatomical and perspective drawing at the Academyh. Admires the work of Miller and Daumier. Stays in Brussels until April 1881.



(To be continued)





Note: So far, we should be able to know Van Gogh's personality well.

His brother's support that leads to his future success is also a great thing to learn.



Though we might not be the material to be artists, we can support and encourage some talented people to become artists. The same principle can apply to many fields.



Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853. I should try to analyze his 8 words. That may be fun.





His love storyies will start in 1881.