Homeward Bound

1872–1885 · Workplace

The Hague

October 1881

Sends Van Gogh a box of oil paints

In October 1881 Mauve sends Vincent van Gogh, his wife’s cousin, an artist’s box full of oil paints.

late November 1881

Teaches Van Gogh for three weeks in his studio

At the end of November 1881 Van Gogh spends three weeks in Mauve’s studio in The Hague, where Mauve teaches him watercolour; other accounts say they began with oils and turned to watercolour only in early 1882. It is Van Gogh’s first experiment in painting under a master’s guidance.

7 May 1882

Van Gogh writes to Theo about the break with Mauve

In a letter to his brother Theo dated 7 May 1882, Van Gogh recounts “a very regrettable conversation”: Mauve told him their association was “over and done with” and explained it by Van Gogh’s vicious character. Mauve had earlier encouraged him and lent him money to rent and furnish a studio, but later grew cold and left a number of letters unanswered (the relationship was already strained by late January); the presumed cause is Van Gogh’s relationship with the pregnant Clasina “Sien” Hornik, though the letter does not say so expressly.