Love Letter to Johanna
Johanna Gezina van Gogh-Bonger was a Dutch editor and translator of the letters of the van Gogh brothers. She was the wife of Theo van Gogh, art dealer, and the sister-in-law of the painter Vincent van Gogh and became a key player in the growth of Vincent's fame. Wikipedia.
My dearest Johanna,
Learning of you has sent my brain down a rabbit hole of art and creation itself!
How does one become a great artist?
Most of the greats lives were spent poor/homeless. Drunk.
Clinically insane. Likely had gonorrhea.
Unappreciated genius living amongst those not worthy.
Most died alone. Undiscovered, still poor, likely syphilitic.
Why would I want this? Can art exist without pain?
How many sacrifices need to be made to create something meaningful?
The comfort of an unfulfilling job,
the simplicity of a world in mono-colored glasses.
What if creation could exist without destruction?
Can I create something of lasting value without suffering?
Or do you need to trade your life while you’re alive to live beyond death?
What if dedicating your being to turning thoughts into things was enough?
If you live in the ether, do you die in the material?
Is the act of making the intangible tangible
more important than what is produced?
How many thoughts need to become things before
I produce something worthwhile?
How many Vincent Van Goghs have lived that didn’t have a Johanna Bonger?
How many undiscovered geniuses have existed throughout history?
What is more valuable to the world, dedicating your life to art or dedicating your life to artists?
Which is a greater gift to the world, true genius or pure selflessness?
I wish to have known you. I feel you would have had some of the answers.
With Love,
Halle Wagner
About the Creator
Halle Wagner
A Living Fever Dream
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