1. Van Gogh had written to Russell about exchanging work; see letter 635. He had probably also sounded him out again about buying a painting from Gauguin. See also letter 582, n. 2.

2. The ruin was Montmajour Abbey near Arles.

3. Sunset at Montmajour (F - / JH - ). See Van Tilborgh et al. 2013.

4. This relates to the consignment whose receipt was confirmed in letter 635.

5. Van Gogh had painted three studies in Saintes-Maries: Fishing boats at sea (F 415 / JH 1452 ), Fishing boats at sea (F 417 / JH 1453 ) and View of Saintes-Maries (F 416 / JH 1447 ).

6. See letter 629, n. 14, for this planned expedition to the Camargue.

7. The letter sketch Newly mown lawn with a weeping tree (F - / JH 1500) was done after the painting of the same title F 428 / JH 1499 .

8. In Honoré de Balzac’s Histoire de la grandeur et de la décadence de César Birotteau (1837), the character Birotteau owns a perfumery shop that flourishes as a result of his honesty and hard work. His peaceful life is thrown into chaos, however, when he speculates in an attempt to increase his fortune. This brings him to the edge of ruin and it is only after three years of poverty and hard grind that he manages to get back on his feet again.