1. Regarding this advice, probably prompted by reading Edmond and Jules de Goncourt’s Gavarni, l’homme et l’oeuvre, see letter 216, n. 4.

2. An ‘undeburred etching’ is a somewhat confusing expression, since an etching has no burrs. What is meant is the velvety effect produced by the incision of a line in a metal plate (whether a drypoint engraving or an etching plate (re)worked with a steel needle) if the burrs – the rough ridges on either side of the incision – are not removed. See cat. Amsterdam 1996, p. 28.

3. Several extant drawings show signs of having had generous quantities of milk poured over them. See cat. Amsterdam 1996, p. 27.

4. Van Gogh presumably applied this method in the drawing Baby (F 912 / JH 318). See cat. Amsterdam 1996, pp. 194-196, cat. no. 54.

a. After ‘Sorrow’ Van Gogh repeated the Dutch equivalent ‘of Smart’ (or Sorrow).

5. In 1881 Blommers was living and working in The Hague at Spui 58. See Adresboeken 1878-1881; his name does not appear in the Adresboeken 1881-1882, however.

6. Concerning the intended viewing at Pulchri, see letters 213 and 214.

7. Regarding Van Gogh’s plans to do this, see letter 212. Neither drawing is known.