Van Gogh’s last letter

From a letter dated July 24, 1890:

“As far as I am concerned, I am giving my canvases my undivided attention. I am trying to do as well as some painters I have loved and admired.”

Three days later, either in the grip of an attack or in fear at the onset of one, he went out into the wheat fields near Auvers in northern France and shot himself. He did not die immediately, but stumbled back to the house of Dr. Gachet, with whom he was supposedly recuperating from previous attacks. Theo rushed from Paris to be with his brother, and two days later, on July 29, Vincent Van Gogh died in his brother’s arms.
 Subscribe to Praeterita in a reader