Finding Vincent by Les Furnanz

Author:Les Furnanz [Furnanz, Les]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789493056091
Publisher: Amsterdam Publishers
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Wednesday, June 19

Paris shined in the twilight as I debarked the train and headed to my previous lodging. Over dinner I considered how to approach Ambroise and finally figured on a tack that might work.

Next morning I rose early and walked the streets around his gallery. I imagined myself as Ambroise. He had a difficult occupation as dealer: buy or receive consigned art; store it; display it; advertise it; sell it; deliver it. He had to stay profitable to continue this cycle. Johanna said Ambroise’s father had funded him two years earlier. He was already respected for his strong-willed ability to “buy low, sell high” and had recently opened his second gallery on rue Lafitte.

I forced myself to look confident and approached his door. I knocked softly and entered the gallery. Ambroise opened a back curtain and stood staring at me. “Isn’t one time enough?” he asked.

“You are an excellent dealer, a smart dealer, Mr. Vollard. Johanna knows and appreciates that. She is a collector, not a dealer. She wants to log all of Vincent’s art to accompany the publication of Vincent’s letters to Theo. In this sense Johanna is already collaborating with you to enlarge the overall market for Vincent’s art. She would inform Danish collectors of your paintings. She also may someday want to buy some herself. She has asked that I gather an inventory of your paintings, and she will share the information on her collection. She realizes you have the talent and facility to address a large market. Would you be willing to collaborate with her for the goal of increasing both your opportunities?”

Ambroise continued to stare, then finally lifted a welcoming hand and said: “Come in Mr. Roulin. You were the subject of one of Vincent’s paintings, and now you're working for Johanna van Gogh. Yes, I will talk with you. I will lead the discussion and ask you to take a message for her.”

I nodded and said nothing to interrupt his clearly improved mood.

“So let’s start. I will briefly describe each of Vincent’s works. I don’t have much time, so it’ll be quick. I won’t answer questions, but when we are done, I’ll ask you to write down a note for Johanna. Understood?”

“Yes, Mr. Vollard, I fully understand.”

“Good,” he nodded and then beckoned me. He stopped at each work and gave me the title and year. They included nature scenes like Starry Night Over the Rhone, but the majority were paintings from Arles such as Café Terrace on the Place du Forum and an impressive array of portraits. I looked twice at the one of Pere Tanguy. It was as if I had known this friendly recently deceased dealer. I studied the portrait of my mother, Madame Roulin Rocking the Cradle, and I stopped again at van Gogh’s self-portrait with bandaged ear and smoking pipe. I had a difficult time looking at my portrait.

As we completed the tour Ambroise waved me to take a seat. “Please write a note for Johanna. Are you ready? I'll speak slowly.

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