The Bridge 1882

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing of a bridge with pen and ink during his Dutch period. Van Gogh often depicted the lives of peasants, and his work provides insight into the social and economic conditions of rural life in the Netherlands during the late 19th century. Looking at the image, the stone bridge appears sturdy but modest. It is a structure that would have facilitated transport and communication between communities, essential for the functioning of rural society. The bridge could be seen as a symbol of human connection to be contrasted with the relative isolation of rural life. To understand Van Gogh’s work more fully, we might consult archives, letters, and historical documents. These shed light on the world in which the artwork was made. In doing so, we appreciate how art is so often contingent on its social and institutional context.