1883



September- November.

Conversations and his correspondence with Theo lead Vincent to the painful decision to leave Sien, with whom he has been together for over a year. Lonely once more, he goes to Drente in northern Holland. He takes a barge to Nieeuw Amsterdam and goes on long walks. The dark peaty landscape makes a strong impression on him. Vincent draws and paints the local peasants hards at work.



December:

Moves to Nuenen, where his parents are now living, and stays till November 1885. During these two years he does almost two hundred painting using dark, earthy colors. His parents try to help by overlooking his negligent dress style and unusual behaviour. He sets up a studio in a vicarage outbuilding.





1884



January



Vincent's mother breaks a leg and is confined to bed for a lenthy period. Vincent gives her loving care.



May



Vincent rents studio rooms in the Catholic sexton's house.



August



Brief relationship with Margot Begemann, a neighbour, but both sets of parents are strongly opposed. Margot attempts suicide.



August-September



Vincent designs six decorative pictures for the dining room of Charles Hermans, an Eindhoven goldsmith.





October-November



Vincent gives tuition to amateur painters from Eindhoven. They take long walks and go to museums together.





December



Hitherto, landscapes and pictures of peasants and weavers at work have predominated in Vincent's work. Now he tries his hand at portraits from models





1885



Vincent's father dies of a stroke on March 26. Vincent is deeply affected. Following a quarrel his sister Anna, he moves into his studio in the sexton's house.





To be continued







Note:

1. When we feel upset about love, think about Vincent.

2. When everyone is against you about your decision, think about Vincent.





May everyboday learn something from Vincent, a truly unusual human being with a remarkable soul.







Tainan Boy