Hendrik Willem Mesdag

I have rented a room in Scheveningen to make studies from nature. It is a room with view on the sea; I hope to make there beautiful things, and to keep moving forward. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

Dear Lords, I hereby have the Honor to announce You that the painting 'Het Binnen komen der Haringschuiten in Scheveningen' has been sent today to your address, for your upcoming Exhibition [in Arti, Amsterdam]. The price is f 2500-. I also declare to stay out of competition for the medal. Yours sincerely HW Mesdag. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

Those two [ Alma Tadema and Roelofs, teaching both Mesdag in Brussels, 1867-69] instructed in exactly the opposite way, you know. For example, Roelofs used to say: you must put more color in that drawing [often meant: watercolor]. And you didn't always saw it yourself in a moment, because you were not yet that far and as high as the master himself was. But Tadema did something completely different; he had more the manners of a professor, who gave his lectures. So Roelofs and he actually complemented each other. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

I thank you for being so sincere in telling me honestly your opinion on the paintings sent to Paris ['Une journée d'hiver à Scheveningue' (a winter-view) and 'Les Brisants de la Mer du Nord' (a sea-scape)]. I am pleased that you really like the large sea piece. As far as the other painting is concerned [winter-view].. ..in a frame and well placed in my studio, most artists [in The Hague] preferred the Winter day. However, that doesn't say enough yet and I am therefore pleased that you gave so honestly your [critical] opinion. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

..the art-reviews on my work in the French and English magazines.. ..[are] enough to claim that I already have reached a prominent position among today's marine painters. I would also like to take this fact into consideration when determining my prices. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

It was fatal news: the sudden death of our boy, a three-day illness ended his life. What is our house empty.. .,which for eight years [age of their son] was the illusion of our lives. Fortunately for us that we love art and let us hope that we [Mesdag and Sientje, his wife] continue to dedicate our lives to our painting, which has given me already so much pleasure.. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

I stared at her for many months in my life with a never fading love and with an interest that never diminished. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

Roelofs' [his teacher then] advice is to paint rather thick, that is to say firmly in the paint and use this preferably without any oil or turpentine.. .I hope you will understand it well, not thick in color, because he [Roelofs] only achieves that haze and the strength of colors by painting it over repeatedly. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

I have studied the subject and painted it directly to nature [his painting 'Scheveningen strandgezicht / Scheveningen, beach view'] and I have tried to reproduce that motif simply and unaffectedly, with no desire to make a painting with a lot of 'éclat' [glow]. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

And you know, if my wife haven't said some forty years ago: do it, let's go to Brussels to study painting, [with a. o. Willem Roelofs ], then I probably would never have left my business [in banking]. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

..at home [in Brussels, 1869] I was messing around all winter long with a painting; it was a coast, but painted so primitive. Then I said: you must see the sea in front of you, every day, you have to live with it, otherwise it doesn't work. Then we went to The Hague. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

That splendid, head, in which everything is said that can be said; color, line, tone, expression; the slightly advanced head, with the soft, almost human eyes, I never enter my studio in the morning without my eye falling upon this creature and wishing it 'Good Morning'.

Dear Niece Angel, - Thank you for your words of condolence in the death of [[w:Sina Mesdag-van Houten|my loved one - Wife]. At the funeral it turned out again how much she is honored and loved by all. She was the sun in my life, and although painfully affected, I remember in silent melancholy the many years that I might kept her. Fortunately, the end has been calm and quiet and because of this she has been spared for even greater pains by her illness (calcification of the arteries). I hope to find in my work consolation and distraction for the irreparable loss.- With friendly greetings Your affectionate Nephew HW Mesdag (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

..Tadema wrote me that you both agreed that I must not exhibit these two paintings [which Mesdag painted in 1868-69]; [because] they were not yet complete enough for my reputation in Brussels. That's why I will not exhibit this year in Brussels, for I tell you sincerely that I cannot do better at the moment.. .I had very little pleasure from my exhibited paintings in The Hague; they were hanged badly, so people couldn't almost see them, but what can you do? Suffer and keep your mouth. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

In Groningen [where Mesdag stayed till 1866] I also lived at the harbour, and I always used to chat with those skippers. Afterwards Willem Roelofs and Tadema taught me a lot, in the years from '66 to '69 in Brussels. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)