Hello r/ArtHistory,

​

I recently read a letter Vincent van Gogh wrote to his younger brother Theo describing resources he was learning from and enjoyed. He was very fond of "Cours de Dessin Bargue". It seems like even today "Charles Bargue: Drawing Course" book is still a rigorous study for new students and is even used at notable places of study.

​

I was curious if there are other older resources like this still around today that are recommended by other old school famous artists as well. My internet searches are fragmented and it seems difficult to nail down.

​

I would really appreciate any input for any other similar occurrences in history that we still have copies of those materials around today to study. I have been wanting to see more of the earlier resources well-known artists used.

​

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

( If you would like to read them too )

​

Vincent Van Gogh's letters to Theo:

1. "I’m still working on Bargue’s Cours de dessin, and plan to finish it before undertaking anything else, since day by day it exercises and strengthens both my hand and my mind, and I wouldn’t be able to feel sufficiently indebted to Mr Tersteeg for having so generously lent them to me. These models are excellent. "
2. "I’m now busy drawing all Bargue’s Exercices au fusain for the 3rd time."
3. Other Van Gogh letters referencing Charles Bargue

​

​