Response to Van Gogh's letter

I'm sure that Van Gogh's letters and other assorted writings are very significant. They provide us with invaluable insight into his works. It is true with any artist that there are moments that the audience is left puzzled, wondering "what was he thinking?" or "what led to/inspired this?" With Van Gogh's letters, we don't always have to ask such questions. In the single letter I have read, he wrote in detail about specific paintings, and about art, poetry, and music. "...you can say comforting things in music." immediately made me think of Beehtoven and his visual expression through music, and the program music of the early romantic era, which I'm currently studying in music history.