Letter from Paul Gauguin to Vincent van Gogh (Pont-Aven, July 1888)

How little importance exactness is in art. Art is an abstraction, unfortunately one becomes more and more misunderstood. I would really like that we reach our goal: that is to say my journey to Provence. I always had the fancy to interpret the bullfights in my own way, as I understand them. I am starting to get the freedom of my faculties: my illness had weakened me and in my last studies I think that what I have done up to now is out of date. Naturally this band of pigs here find me quite mad, and I that rather pleases me because it proves to me that I am not. ...I don't know why, but for about ten days I have painted a lot of madness in my head that I intend to execute in the Midi: I believe that is because of my state of health, which is flourishing again. I have a need of struggle; to carve with a club. After all the research that I have just done here I believe it will help me to go better than before. Until we are together, an affectionate handshake, Paul Gauguin.