A long walk to Jules Breton’s studio

In 1880, Vincent van Gogh made an arduous journey to Courrières to see the studio of French painter Jules Breton, whom he admired. In a letter to his brother Theo, he wrote that he saw only the outside of the newly built brick studio and did not dare go in and introduce himself. He described the building as cold and inhospitable; there is no evidence that he turned back because it seemed “too luxurious.” After returning, Van Gogh resolved to take up drawing seriously again.