Van Gogh in

‘t Heike

Vincent made various figure studies in St. Willebrord, also known as Het Heike. In November 1881, he wrote to his brother Theo that his room was full of them:

“I’m now sitting in the little room, writing to you with a whole collection of men, women, children from Het Heike &c. all around me.” Read the complete letter

He visited ’t Heike with people including his friend Anthon van Rappard, who stayed with him for two weeks in June 1881. In 1883, Vincent reminded Van Rappard of its beauty in a letter:

“Yet there’s still a great deal of beauty left in Brabant — just think of Het Heike, where we went together.” Read the complete letter

’t Heike had made a lasting impression on Vincent; he mentioned it more than once in his letters from The Hague:

“I still think of Het Heike so often” Read the complete letter