Van Gogh in
Van Rappard’s studio
Rue Traversière 8
There is confusion around the locations of Van Rappard’s home and studio in Brussels; see, for example, the discussion here. Some sources name Rue Traversière 8 as the address of the studio where Vincent worked with Van Rappard, but others disagree. A commemorative plaque has nevertheless been placed on the building.
Van Gogh in
Van Rappard’s studio
In a letter dated 1 November 1880, Vincent wrote to his brother Theo that he visited the Dutch artist Anthon Gerhard Alexander van Rappard (1858–1892), who was studying at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. They met at nine in the morning at Rue Traversière 64. Van Rappard was extremely wealthy, and Vincent was unsure whether they would get on because of the financial gap between them. Yet by early 1881 they had struck up a genuine friendship. They shared ideas about art and a preference for simple subjects and methods of representation.
Vincent and Van Rappard stayed in touch until 1885, frequently corresponding about their work and their shared passion for collecting reproduced magazine illustrations. They continued to see each other regularly until the friendship ultimately ended after Van Rappard criticised Vincent’s lithograph The Potato Eaters. However, neither had desired the breach.
Because Vincent’s room on Boulevard du Midi in Brussels was small and poorly lit, he worked in Van Rappard’s studio for a few months in the spring of 1881. The two men then left Brussels around the same time, Vincent at the end of April and Van Rappard in mid-May.
Relevant letters from Vincent
No relevant letters found so far.
Continue reading
Paul Fagel
W. Lutjeharms
Bart Moens
Sjraar van Heugten (red.)