Three pairs of shoes 1886

Vincent van Gogh's *Three Pairs of Shoes* (1886) is a striking still life that highlights the artist's bold brushstrokes and unique use of color. The shoes are depicted in a stark, almost somber light, emphasizing their worn and weathered condition. This simple subject matter, often overlooked in art, becomes a powerful symbol of the working class and their struggles, a theme prevalent in Van Gogh's oeuvre. The thick, impasto paint application, characteristic of his later works, adds a tactile dimension to the canvas, further enhancing the feeling of realism and the lived-in quality of the shoes.