1. This pen-and-ink drawing is not known.

2. In the summer of 1881 Van Gogh usually drew on large sheets, varying in size from c. 30-50 cm x c. 50-60 cm.

a. Illustrated magazines.

3. Van Gogh wonders how drawings are transferred to wood-blocks in order to made wood engravings.

b. Read: ‘binnenkort’ (soon).

4. Mr van Gogh had celebrated his 60th birthday on 8 February 1882.

5. George Hendrik Breitner was one of the most talented pupils of the Dutch history painter Charles Rochussen. Rochussen advised Breitner to attend classes at the Academy in The Hague. See exhib. cat. Amsterdam 1994-2, p. 24.

6. Breitner later revealed the trouble Van Gogh could cause in such situations. According to his own account, Breitner made discreetly small sketches in a sketchbook of modest size, whereas Van Gogh made large drawings, working frantically with a carpenter’s pencil. See exhib. cat. The Hague 1990, pp. 156, 162 (ill.). The surviving drawings, however, bear no traces of this working method. Regarding the soup kitchen, see letter 200, n. 4.

7. Christiaan Siebenhaar was a fencing teacher who had a fencing hall at Juffrouw Idastraat 16. Other rooms in this house were rented out as studios. Breitner was registered as living at this address in 1882-1883. See Adresboek 1882-1883; exhib. cat. The Hague 1990, p. 156; and Hefting 1970, p. 102 (n. 3).

8. It cannot be ascertained which ‘sketches’ by Bosboom and Henkes were on display at this viewing, which must have taken place on Saturday, 11 February 1882 in the ‘Hofje van Nieuwkoop’ (See Archief Pulchri and Archief Hardenberg in GAH, inv. no. 59.1-479). Henkes is known for his genre pieces situated in middle-class interiors, workshops and factories, as well as for his townscapes.

9. It is not known which of De Bock’s drawings Van Gogh is referring to here.

10. Theo’s salary was tied to the sales and profits he made as the manager of the boulevard Montmartre branch. See Account book 2002.