For van Gogh

The painting "For van Gogh" originated from an idea in a series of mime : "Les Hommes de la Terre"
("Men of the Earth"). I began to reflect on the works of van Gogh in the fields with the peasants in the
sun.

... "During the harvesting, my labour was not any easier than that of the peasants, who have to do the
harvesting by hand..." (lettres by van Gogh, page 131 - 2e volume).

The idea of doing the picture didn't motivate me in the slightest. I actually made up my mind on the
spur of the moment and with genuine enthusiasm, if one can put it that way, following the weird shock,
provoked by the sale of the "Irises"....

Edouard Pignon, Paris, April 6th, 1988.