Vincent van Gogh: Embracing the Miraculous
Our need is for nothing less than the infinite
As I approach Advent, a time reflecting on the Incarnation – the miraculous made manifest – Vincent Van Gogh's1 letter to his brother Theo, strikes a chord. In his unassuming words, Van Gogh captures a deep spirituality that resonates with my own journey. He speaks of a faith that sustains through life's tumult, a message poignant during this season of both anticipation and uncertainty. His encouragement to remain tender-hearted and sensitive, is what I’m aiming for this Christmas season.
To: Theo Van Gogh, his brother
April 3, 1878
Happy is he who has faith in God, for he will in the end be tided over all life's difficulties, albeit not without trouble and sorrow. One cannot do better than hold on to the thought of God come what may, in all circumstances, in every place and at all times, and try to get to know Him better.
One can learn this from the Bible as well as from all other things.
It is good to go on believing that everything is more miraculous than one can ever begin to understand, for that is the truth; it is good to remain sensitive and humble and tender-hearted even though one may have to hide one's feelings, as is often necessary.
It is good to be well versed in the things that are hidden from the wise and the learned of this world, but that are revealed as if by nature to the poor and the simple, to women and little children. For what can one learn which is better than that which God has given by nature to every human soul and which goes on living and loving, hoping and believing, in the depth of every soul, unless we wantonly destroy it.
The need is for nothing less than the infinite and the miraculous, and a man does well to be satisfied with nothing less, and not to feel easy until he has gained it.
[...]
So let us go forward quietly, each on his own path, forever making for the light, 'sursum corda2', and in the knowledge that we are as others are and that others are as we are and that it is right to love one another in the best possible way, believing all things, hoping for all things and enduring all things, and never failing. And not being too troubled by our weaknesses, for even he who has none, has one weakness, namely that he has none, and anyone who believes himself to be consummately wise would do well to be foolish all over again.3
Vincent Van Gogh, born on March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands, was a pivotal figure in the Post-Impressionist movement, renowned for his vibrant use of color and emotional depth. His life, marked by economic hardship and mental health struggles, was also deeply influenced by his Christian faith. This spiritual dimension often surfaced in his art and personal correspondence, reflecting a complex relationship with religion. Despite facing numerous challenges, Van Gogh's dedication to his craft led him to create over 800 paintings and around 1,300 drawings, including iconic masterpieces like "Starry Night," "Irises," and "Sunflowers." Today, Van Gogh is celebrated globally, not just for his contributions to modern art, but also for the spiritual and human depth he brought to his work.
The Sursum corda (Latin: "Lift up your hearts" or literally, "Upwards hearts") is the opening dialogue to the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer or Anaphorain Christian liturgies, dating back at least to the third century and the Anaphora of the Apostolic Tradition.
Van Gogh, Vincent, selected and edited by Ronald de Leeuw. The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh. London: Allen Lane The Penguin Press, 1996.
This is a beautiful discourse that so handily sums up exactly what I believe about my own faith and life. Thank you for sharing it - I intend to print it out and read it regularly.