Still life with a basket of vegetables 1885

Vincent van Gogh created this still life with a basket of vegetables using oil on canvas at some point in his short career. Van Gogh’s early work often highlighted the lives of peasants and laborers. This painting reflects that interest, depicting the simple, everyday objects of rural life. In 19th-century Europe, the still life genre was often seen as less important than history painting or portraiture, but artists like Van Gogh elevated it by focusing on humble subjects. Consider the dark, earthy tones and the rough, visible brushstrokes. Van Gogh was working at a time when traditional academic art was losing its grip on the art world, and his style was part of a broader move toward a more honest, direct representation of reality. The historian examines such paintings, alongside letters, biographies, and exhibition reviews, to understand the social and artistic context that shaped their creation. The deeper meaning of this artwork lies in its historical and institutional setting, which allows us to appreciate its significance.