Pink Peach Tree in Blossom

While painting blossoming orchards, in the spring of 1888, 35-year-old Vincent wrote a letter to his brother, Theo.  Commenting how hard he is working, in this message from April 9th, he remains hopeful that he can sell enough of his work to cover his costs:

"I must reach the point where my pictures will cover my expenses, and even more than that, taking into account how much was spent in the past. Well, it will come. I don't make a success of everything, I admit, but I'm getting on. So far you have not complained of my expenses here, but I warn you that if I continue to work at the same rate, I shall have great difficulty in making both ends meet. But the work is heavy indeed."

This painting - Pink Peach Tree in Blossom (Reminiscence of Mauve) - is now owned by  the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands. Vincent created it in Arles, France.

Credits

Quoted passage, letter from Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh dated 9 April 1888.  Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, edited by Robert Harrison, published in The Complete Letters of Vincent van Gogh, Publisher: Bulfinch, 1991, number 474.