Vincent van Gogh's "Olive Trees" (Photo: National Gallery of Scotland)

"Self Portrait: Three Quarters to the Right, Paris" (1887) (Photo: Van Gough Museum, Amsterdam)

Vincent van Gogh's letter to Émile Bernard on June 19, 1888. (Photo: Thaw Collection/Morgan Library & Museum)

Bernard was "a minor French painter, prolific writer, tireless networker and van Gogh advocate," says Holland Cotter. (Photo: Morgan Library & Museum)

Van Gogh and Bernard met in Paris, in studio classes. Despite their age difference — Van Gogh was 30-something and Bernard was a teenager — they became friends.(Photo: Morgan Library & Museum))

The artist kept in touch with many colleagues, but his letters to Bernard were different, sometimes taking on an older-brotherly tone, or one of a mentor.  (Photo: Morgan Library & Museum)

"It’s when van Gogh addresses Bernard as an equal, artist to artist, that he is at his most eloquent. When he speaks from love — of art, of an exalted ideal of the artist, of an art fellowship — wonderful things are said, and, as the Morgan show demonstrates, wonderful art was made," says Holland Cotter.  (Photo: Morgan Library & Museum)

“Painted With Words: Vincent van Gogh’s Letters to Émile Bernard” remains through Jan. 6 at the Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Avenue, at 36th Street; (212) 685-0008, www.morganlibrary.org.

Lire l'article de Holland Cotter: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/arts/design/28vinc.html