Au Charbonnage
Au Charbonnage, taken from Vincent Van Gogh — The Complete Works on CDRom
Vincent van Gogh sketched “Au Charbonnage” and sent it in letter 126 to his brother Theo:
“I enclose that hasty little sketch, “Au Charbonnage.” I should like to begin making rough sketches of some of the many things that I meet on my way, but as it would probably keep me from my real work, it is better not to start. As soon as I came home, I began a sermon about the barren fig tree, Luke 13 : 6-9. The little drawing “Au Charbonnage” is not particularly remarkable, but I made it because one sees here so many people who work in the coal mines, and they are a rather distinctive type. This little house stands not far from the road; it is a small inn which adjoins the big coal shed, and the workmen come to eat their bread and drink their glass of beer there during the lunch hour…” (van Gogh, 1878).
Vincent had a burden for the coal mining communities. His father was a preacher, and he also pursued preaching for a while — pastoring a small coal-mining community.
It amazes me how Vincent could take the simple things that would have otherwise been long forgotten, and created a memorial that will last forever. This “Au Charbonnage” is one of these memorials that will live on forever because of Vincent…. He did give these people the glory and sainthood that he saw in them…. They will never be forgotten.
November 03 2006 | Au Charbonnage and Coal Miners and Letter 126 and Preaching | No Comments »
