Vincent Van Gogh 80 - Brother Theo & Father Theodorus Arrive To Meet Vincent Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Matters took a serious turn,
When Vincent's parents and brother Theo
Were informed about Vincent's way of life,
By Tersteeg and other artists in The Hague.
The whole family was shocked, miserable
To hear of Vincent's relationship with a woman
Of disrepute and degrading profession.
It was no surprise that Theo arrived on the scene.

Theo was only twenty six, but well established art dealer.
He travelled frequently for his business from Paris
And earned a respectful name for himself in art business.
Brother Theo had expressly come to meet Vincent
With the primary aim of persuading Vincent
Not to take a drastic step of a marriage with this woman.
Theo could not understand how he fell in love with Christine
While he was madly and desperately in love with cousin Kay.

When Theo met Christine, he did not dislike her.
In fact, he chatted animatedly with her.
Later, Theodorous, Vincent's father too arrived.
He was surprised to see Vincent living a family life
He was spending the entire money sent by Theo
For buying medicines for Christine, baby food & clothes
For the new born, books for Hermann who attended school.
And a whole supply of food for the whole family.

Vincent was calm and happy now.
Theo believed and trusted him.
His father did not disapprove of Christine.
The artistes of Hague stopped interfering with his life.
He was free to go ahead with his drawings and paintings,
In the eyes of the world, he was a 'good for nothing'.
But he wanted to show the world, his ardent, tender feelings
Through his canvas, be it a landscape or a portrait.

A Biographical Poem