Sketches of Peasant Plowing with Horses 1890

Vincent van Gogh made this sketch of a peasant plowing with horses in the Netherlands, during the late 19th century. Here, Van Gogh uses sparse lines to depict a rural scene, a humble peasant guiding horses as they plow a field. In his time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes, influenced by the industrial revolution and urbanization. Van Gogh's focus on peasant life can be seen as a commentary on these societal shifts, as he draws attention to the labor and struggles of the working class, those who remained working the land in the face of progress. The art institutions of the time largely favored more academic and idealized representations of life. But Van Gogh was interested in the everyday, and in social realism. To understand this drawing, historians might look at the agricultural practices of the time, the social status of peasants, and the broader artistic movements that were challenging academic traditions. Through this, we can appreciate how Van Gogh used his art to engage with the social realities of his era.