My dear Theo,
Coming back to my dwelling in Arles I realize that walls have seized to bend. The sense of suffocation that I felt is gone. Even colors seem to change from sunshine into clouds.
When I look at my paintings made before the incident I realize that what the doctor said might be true. Paul have sent me a painting from Tahiti and I realize how much we’ve changed.
The voices have ceased for now but I cannot seem to paint in yellow anymore. Could you send me money for some paint and canvas, please.
Ever Yours,
Vincent
The picture immediately made me think of Van Gogh and his picture from Arles. In particular “The Bedroom”. I imagine this being a letter sent off to brother Theo sent after he cut of his ear. You can always speculate how his painting might look different because of his mental state.
At Friday Fictioneers we write different stories to the same image in 100 words every week. Rochelle selects the picture and we write. Join the fun if you want to exercise your writing skills.
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July 12, 2017
Dear Björn,
The letter form is an effective way of telling a story. It serves you well with this one. As soon as I saw Theo I knew it was from Vincent whom I love. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I felt that I had to jump to Historical Fiction when you didn’t 🙂
Thanks for filling the void. 😉
Clever, Bjorn
Thank you Neil
Thanks for sharing the facts and the story Bjorn. Appreciate it.
There are some facts and some speculation here…
The suffering artist — and Van Gogh was certainly one of them. Great story, Bjorn! I have always admired Van Gogh’s work. Looks like Rochelle’s influence is being felt among the fictioneers — we’re getting historical fiction out of a lot of people so far. Pretty nice. 😉
I think we can see his conditions in some of his painting.
Great story. There is a theory that Paul actually accidentally cut off the ear in a fight but they told everyone that Vincent did it so Gauguin wouldn’t go to jail.
I have heard that theory also…
Nice take Bjorn. The prompt brought to mind a famous French painter for me too.
I look forward to that… though if I had been Dutch I would probably object to van Gogh being a French painter 🙂
LOL, of course, well he was in France 😉
I do like this! Dear Theo..I knew it was from Vincent immediately. I do not usualt care for flash fiction but this one I love. Well done.
I love Flash fiction myself, and 100 words is perfect. Of course the letters to his brother are very famous.
The letter format is a grand idea for short fiction and the voice is haunting. The final two sentences speak volumes; the voices, the color yellow, the need to continue painting in spite of it all.
Sometimes I think I can see the walls of an asylum in his paintings.
Nice reference, and nice piece, too; I enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you.. I do love the art of van Gogh
A delightful piece of fact-infused fiction! Excellent
Simply click to read my FriFic
Thank you… I happen to be quite fascinated by van gogh..
I do like where you took this prompt. I ‘ve read quite a bit about Van Gogh. What troubles he must have had running around in his mind. I also like the letter format. Well done.
Thank you, and his letters to his brother Theo tells so much about him
I like the form. Yellow…no more sunflowers.
Well done.
I think sunflowers and manic states will come back.
Such an original take on the prompt. Well done.
Thank you… sometimes you just go with the first possible idea.
How wonderfully imagined! I love your original take on this prompt, Björn.
So nice to hear it was an original thought…
Very good…
Thank you Sue.
Great take. The ‘Dear Theo’ was a dead giveaway. But you’ve made us feel that the letter might have been written by van Gogh himself. Well done, Bjorn. Cheers, Varad
I read a few of his letters so it seemed apt… actually the painting of the bedroom is what made me make the connection.
Genius approach and great take on the prompt.
Oh thank you so much
This was truly imaginative. (it reminds me of the phone calls I use to get from my less famous family)
Ouch… I hope none of them have cut away an ear.
I agree with all this was a very creative piece. Loved the voice in this.
Thank you, it helps that a lot of Vincent’s letters to his brother are available.
you’ve made this so real
I can just imagine this.
I think I tried to imagine it myself.
Very evocative of the pain Van Gogh might have gone through. The ‘walls have seized to bend’ was especially telling.
Indeed.. a very gripping sensation
You really delved into Vincent’s mind there.
I tried to, but I never sliced my ear.
Well written Dr Rudberg.
Thank you
A little glimpse into the mind of a great painter 🙂
Yes his mind was probably a bit strange… but his paintings are perfect.
Very convincing fictional letter from Van Gogh…his art and mind are fascinating!
I think it’s extremely fascinating.
It’s the perfect blend of picture and story, and the format is also perfect for this.
I thought I could see Vincent in that room of his.
This really happened, right 🙂 The letter is very authentic.
I don’t know what really happened, but I’m not really telling either…
I love the prompt picture, and now I am trying to image it as Van Gogh might have painted it.
I think he might have painted it in yellow…
interesting story…
van gogh was a very interesting artist and human being.
when i was in amsterdam i went to the van gogh museum – and learned a bit about his story – so interesting – and so tough at times
in paris i stood before his painting “starry night” and i just wanted to jump into it – that was mesmerizing
I have been to the the van gogh museum too… and I think the painting of that bedroom has stuck with me most….
Wow well told. The yellow as emotion of trauma is fascinating. Great story
very interesting. I wouldn’t have thought to write a letter.
Brilliant role play. Sensitive echoes of history and love the characterisation of yellow.
it was as if the real vincent wrote it himself. well done.
I love the letter format. A perfect vehicle for this prompt. Excellent piece, Bjorn.
Thank you.. I think that I could write a novel in the form of an epistolary…
Well done. Like everybody else, I like the epistolary style, and the symbolism of the colour yellow.
Very nice. Love that your imagination enables us to have a glimpse of real life. Thank you!💐
You tell us so much in Vincent’s letter. Well done.
What a wonderful scene you have conjured from the image. Excellent!
Wonderful take on Van Gogh’s letters to his brother.
Absolutely brilliant!
Though I think that “seized to bend” should be “ceased to bend”.
I had intended it so first, but then I liked the typo..
I wonder how many artists in history have asked for someone to give them money to buy paints and canvases, because they haven’t any money. If Van Gogh were to time-travel forward and see what price his paintings fetched now, imagine how gobsmacked he would be. But he would come across plenty of poor artists who couldn’t afford their painting equipment, too!
Ahhh … the pain artists endure to create. His life was a very sad one.
You created a scenario in your letter that seems quite realistic. Nicely done, Bjorn.
Isadora 😎
Oh, my friend Vincent. I do hope there is something after this life and that I will get to have a long visit with me. Everything about his life touches me so deeply. As does this. Love the reference to Gaugin.
Appealing letter based on history by Vincent to his brother. This sounds like something he would have written at the time. Good writing, Bjorn. 🙂 — Suzanne