Eindhoven: Telegraph operator and postal clerk Willem van de Wakker lived in Rosemary Street B 253 (now Jan van Lieshout Street) from June 3, 1884 to December 10, 1891. As an amateur painter, he had lessons from Vincent. Van de Wakker - who Vincent said was too posh, too French - recalled in 1927 that Vincent was not an easy teacher. He was sarcastic and cursed frequently. Eating, drinking and resting he did little and only to the extent strictly necessary. In response to Willem's mother's offer to share a meal, he is reported to have said,"I only eat a crust of bread. I won't eat that good food."
