Van Gogh in

Pension Roos

Vincent arrived in The Hague in 1869 to work as the youngest clerk of the art dealers Goupil & Cie. He moved into a boarding house run by Marinus Roos and his wife, Dina Margrieta van Aalst, at Lange Beestenmarkt 32. Despite initially earning just 30 guilders in his job at Goupil & Cie, Vincent paid 34 guilders for room and board. His father therefore chipped in 4 guilders per month for his rent.

During his stay, Vincent came into contact with another guest at the boarding house, Willem Marinus Valkis, with whom he once went rowing. Valkis would later work for Goupil. Vincent’s brother Theo stayed at the boarding house from November 1873 through October 1879. Vincent had recommended the Rooses, telling Theo that they had always been very good to him:

“I don’t doubt that your lodgings at the Rooses’ will be to your liking.” Read the complete letter

While Theo was staying there, Vincent often asked him to pass on his greetings to the family.