1. Van Rappard had studied for a time at the Brussels Academy (see letter 178, n. 1). He had meanwhile returned to the Netherlands (see l. 7), but had apparently written to Van Gogh while still in Brussels. It is not clear whether the present letter is a response to that letter (in which he must have announced his return) or to another letter written after his return.

2. Joseph van Severdonck taught at the Brussels Academy of Fine Arts, giving lessons in drawing and painting ‘after the antique head, torso and fragments’; from 1875 he gave the course in painting from life. See exhib. cat. Brussels 1987, pp. 246-247. For Stallaert cf. letter 178.

3. Lambiek is a Belgian beer.

4. There is nothing in any of the letters to suggest that Van Gogh was actually considering various studios. As regards his choice, see letter 194, n. 2.