Vincent van Gogh: The Letters: The Complete Illustrated and Annotated Edition Hardcover – Illustrated, November 16, 2009

I've read twice the edition of the epistolary made in the 50's, printed by Bulfinch, and I was curious about this new edition.Let me tell you that by far this is THE DEFINITIVE edition. In every aspect I mention this: in an academic, graphic, aesthetic, design way. It is presented in a beautiful way and the edition is immaculate. This is by far more expensive than the Bulfinch edition, but the reward is absolutely worthy. If you have the money. don't hesitate. This is gonna be an incredible set in your collection.No matter how many times you read them, I promise you'll return to several letters written by Vincent. Even if he was a mediocre painter, he would pass to history because of his epistolary, I reckon. Anyway, this is a great reading in the BEST way it could be presented. Enjoy!

A magnificent effort of scholarship on the now beloved, but then obscure, Vincent van Gogh.These books will be of keen interest to both art experts and common readers. Due to price, the set may be out of the reach for many; but if it can be afforded, it will take an honored place in the library of any one who appreciates great art. Beyond interesting discussions of the technical and inspirational background to many paintings, the book reveals the deep relationship between Vincent and his younger brother Theo.It took me several years of intermittent reading to finally close the last page of volume 5, but it was worth the slow journey. I now look forward to a visit next spring to the great museums of The Netherlands to see many of this master's actual paintings.

I have got this set as a gift for myself on Christmas. And from the moment I started reading the letters I couldn't put it down. Although it is quite a commitment to read all the letters. This edition makes it very easy, first of all, the lettered are all noted with great information which makes it easier to understand, sometimes clarifying things that might not make sense out of context, or supplying historical background. And of course every time Van Gogh talks about a piece of art you'll find a picture of that artwork next to the text. It took me a few months to finish all six volumes and as soon as I finished I got to travel to holland and visit the Van Gogh museum, reading the letters makes you appreciate the work of Van Gogh on a different level. It is worth every penny, my absolute favorite books on art.

The recent translation of Van Gogh's letters is astonishing! And I'm sure the price reflects the quality and breadth of research and production effort that went into this six-volume set.But shortly after I bought the set, I discovered that the whole shebang is available online! What's more, the online edition is constantly being revised and updated with corrections and amplifications, and it's so much easier to search on key terms online than to work with an index and a multitude of heavy hardcover volumes! vangoghletters.orgI still enjoy the pleasure of browsing print editions, especially art books like this superb set. I'm not going to resell my set. But anyone who is hankering to read the letters and who can't afford the set, your happiness can be found at vangoghletters.org or perhaps on the used books market.

This is set is spectacular. Each letter is accompanied with pictures of every work referenced, even those not by Van Gogh. The quality of the book itself and the content within is pretty amazing.

This is pricey but has it all. It was a very expensive Christmas gift for my artist bf. He will love it when he really has time to get into it! Worth the price.

This superb collection, boxed, arrived in perfect condition as advertised. It is the sine qua non of the publication of Van Gogh'sletters and every conceivable detail connected with them, letters to and from Van Gogh, his brother, other relatives and friendswith pictures of every painting he made and which he admired by others. Indispensable!

A spectacular production on every level: illustrations, text, translation, packaging, the whole nine yards, or should I say the whole 600 bucks. Like every truly great book, this is a time machine to another place and another mind. I see myself in 30 years, retired, poring over and over this book with a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog curled up beside me.