Van Gogh in

La Revue Indépendante

The writers Félix Fénéon (1861–1944) and Edouard Dujardin (1861–1949) regularly organised small art exhibitions in the offices of the political, literary and artistic journal La Revue Indépendante at 11 Chaussée d’Antin. In December 1887, Vincent probably visited one featuring work by Louis Anquetin, Camille Pissarro and Georges Seurat.

In September 1888, when Vincent was living in Arles, his brother Theo suggested he exhibit his work at La Revue Indépendante. Vincent appeared interested and willing. However, when Dujardin invited him to do so two months later, Vincent had changed his mind and said he did not care to take part in a show in that “hole in the wall”. In his decision, he was probably influenced by Paul Gauguin, who had declined a similar invitation. Vincent found it particularly unacceptable that he would be expected to donate a painting to help cover the costs of the show. He wrote to Theo:

“…you’ll feel that they’re completely mistaken if they imagine I’m going to pay to have myself put on show in such a small, dark and above all scheming hole.” Read the complete letter