“The Plough and the Harrow (after Millet)”, painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1890 in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, is an oil on canvas artwork that epitomizes the Post-Impressionism movement. This landscape piece measures 72 x 92 cm and is currently housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork vividly portrays a rural scene, highlighting agricultural tools, a plough, and a harrow prominently situated in the foreground. The composition is imbued with the characteristic swirling and dynamic brushwork that van Gogh employed to inject movement and emotion into the depiction. The earth’s furrowed textures and the sky’s soft hues create a harmonious blend, emphasizing the serene yet laborious life of the countryside. The expanse of the field, sparsely populated with trees and distant buildings, extends under a lightly clouded sky filled with birds, evoking a sense of open space and tranquility. Vincent van Gogh’s masterful use of color and form invites viewers to contemplate the deep connection between human toil and the land.
