Was Van Gogh ahead of his time?

At the end of his career Vincent van Gogh was recognized by artists and art critics contrary to the years before. It would take a very long time though until his paintings became valuable.

Today 139 years ago, between 12 and 17 September 1882,

Vincent van Gogh wrote to Anthon van Rappard from The Hague:

"I’ve often worked on the beach recently, either drawing or painting. And the sea attracts me more and more.

I don’t know what your experience of getting on with artists here has been like — I’ve found more than once that people began to rail viciously against what they called ‘the illustrative’ in a manner that to me very clearly proved they had no understanding of the matter at all, were completely unaware of what’s going on in that sphere.

And were also not to be persuaded, or rather chose not to even take the trouble to look at a few things. Or if they did look, it was in their head for a short time and then straight out again.”

Beach at Scheveningen in Stormy Weather
The Hague, 1882
Oil on canvas
34.5 × 51.0 cm
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

You may also like to read:

• Stolen Van Gogh paintings found.

Van Gogh's 'Beach at Scheveningen in Stormy Weather'.

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