1. This quotation must refer to what Theo had written. Vincent himself used the term ‘tame dove’ in connection with Sien in letters 224 and 225 of early May 1882.
2. In many of Correggio’s paintings women are depicted in an idealized form.
3. Possibly an allusion to The poor, the poor man’s friend [827] by Thomas Faed; cf. letter 292, n. 11.
[827]
4. An allusion to the poem ‘De beste vriend’ (The best friend) by P.A. de Génestet. It describes how many sacrifices must be made for

a friend with an iron hand
and cool, imperious eye
with true feeling and keen sense
yet often curt and dry

Only in the last two stanzas is the identity of the ‘best friend’ revealed.

He makes me struggle, he gives me rest
earned in care or sweat;
he is my Burden, he is my Joy,
my Scourge and yet – my Friend.

For if I follow him, then around me
he brings peace and light,
and makes my heart so full, so free...
What is his name? – Duty.

(Een vriend met ijzren hand
en koel gebiedend oog;
met recht gevoel en kloek verstand,
doch vaak wel norsch en droog).

Hij baart mij strijd, hij geeft mij rust
in zorg of zweet verdiend;
hij is mijn Last, hij is mijn Lust,
mijn Plaag en toch – mijn Vriend.

Want volg ik hem, dan rondom mij
schept hij mij vrede en licht,
en stemt mij ’t hart zoo ruim, zoo vrij…
Hoe is zijn naam? – De Plicht.)

See De Génestet 1869, vol. 2, pp. 206-207.
5. For the origins of this borrowing from the popular, humorous book Petites misères de la vie humaine (1843) by Old Nick and Grandville, see letter 178, n. 6.
6. Cf. 2 Cor. 7:10 and Rom. 11:29.
a. Means ‘bedaard’ (quiet).
7. Van Gogh based this notion of regression on Michelet: see letter 337, n. 3.
8. Peat diggers in the dunes (F 1031 / JH 363 [2437]) and also the unknown drawing of a team of workmen mentioned in letter 348 and later known as ‘sand quarry’ (see letter 362).
[2437]
b. Means: ‘uitgaven’ (outgoings).
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