1. These twelve drawings were Fishing boats at sea (F 1433 / JH 1528 ), Lawn with a weeping tree (F 1449 / JH 1534 ), Garden with flowers (F 1454 / JH 1532 ), Joseph Roulin (F 1458 / JH 1536 ), The harvest (F 1486 / JH 1527 ), Wheatfield with sheaves (F 1489 / JH 1530 ), Arles seen from the wheatfields (F 1490/ JH 1529 ), Mousmé (F 1503 / JH 1533 ), Wheat stacks (F 1427 / JH 1525 ), Fishing boats at sea (F 1430a / JH 1526 ), Zouave (F 1482a / JH 1535 ) and The road to Tarascon (F 1502a / JH 1531 ).

2. Michaelmas, 29 September, was traditionally the day on which leases expired (and commenced) in France. Van Gogh had rented the Yellow House from 1 May, see letter 602, n. 3.

3. These are Joseph Roulin (F 432 / JH 1522 ) and Joseph Roulin (F 433 / JH 1524 ). We know from letters 655 and 662 that Van Gogh painted the bust first, and then the head.

4. Probably Bernard Soulè, the owner's agent; see letter 602, n. 19.

5. Van Gogh had had the Yellow House painted; see letter 614.

6. This relates to the new canvas – Vincent must have received a sample of it. The order eventually arrived in Arles on 9 August (see letter 658).

7. See letter 639 for the cheaper canvas.

8. For the comparison of Roulin with Socrates see letter 652, n. 7.