Vincent Van Gogh 59 - Mijnheer Tersteeg Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Mijnheer Tersteeg was a handsome man
With a round face, brown hair, neatly combed,
Revealing his high forehead, full beard that flowed
And ‘eyes as pellucid as a Dutch lake sky'.
He dressed in a classic way, with an artistic look, and style!

Tersteeg knew Vincent and liked him too.
When Vincent joined the London office of Goupils,
Tersteeg wrote a beautiful note to them about Vincent's virtues.
He was now meeting Vincent again, after many years.
Much had changed. Tersteeg was well established art dealer now.

While Vincent was in the Borinage,
Tersteeg had sent him the book ‘Excersises au Fusain'
And ‘Cours de Dessin Bargue', so that it would help
Vincent study and practice the art of drawing & painting.
All the more reason for Vincent to feel hopeful.

Mijnheer Tersteeg strived to bring about a change
He brought all the rising young Dutch artistes together.
Anton Mauve, Josef, Jacob, Willem Maris, Bosboom & Blommers -
All joined forces to make The Hague, the capital of Dutch art.
Mijnheer generously bought canvases from all of them.

When Vincent entered the beautifully decorated Goupil,
He suddenly felt, he was shabbily dressed in his black velvet suit.
The grandeur of the place frightened and embarrassed him.
Vincent stood staring at the palace of art, filled with amazing pictures.
He wondered, whether his sketches of humble, poor people would ever sell? !

A Biographical Poem