1. Theo had previously used the metaphor of horses toiling up a hill (see letter 770).

2. This must refer to Theo’s lucrative sale the previous month of Corot’s Souvenir of Nemi . Mesdag had let it be known that he wanted to buy more of such works (see letter 894, n. 9).

3. It has not been determined which painting by Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Peña is referred to here. Theo’s visit to Antwerp took place on 17 July 1890; it is possible that the art dealer Emile Clarembaux acted as a middleman. See FR b2056; Brief happiness 1999, pp. 245, 247, 258.

4. Around 8 July Theo had asked his employers, Léon and Etienne Boussod, for a rise, and they had agreed to give him an answer the following week. His threat to quit if they did not honour his request made little impression on Boussod and Valadon. Theo finally decided to stay with the firm for the time being (see letter 901, n. 5).

5. Annie Bonger-van der Linden.

6. Andries Bonger was also at Theo and Jo’s when Vincent visited them on Sunday, 6 July. ‘It’s the second time’ refers to the fact that Andries had again withdrawn his offer to start up a business with Theo. See Brief happiness 1999, p. 249.

a. Read: ‘à moins de mettre’.