Kneeling Man, Planting 1881

Vincent van Gogh rendered this image of a farmer planting, with an unknown medium, in 1883, whilst in the Netherlands. The kneeling figure is stooped in labor, enacting a timeless ritual of sowing, connecting us to ancient agrarian societies. We see this pose echoed through centuries, from Egyptian tomb paintings depicting agricultural scenes to Millet’s paintings of French peasants, each bearing the weight of human toil. The act of planting holds rich symbolism: it represents hope, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life. The farmer's posture—kneeling, close to the earth—suggests humility and a deep connection to the soil. This echoes the religious connotations of kneeling in prayer, reflecting reverence and submission to nature's forces. Like the ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, this posture becomes a potent symbol, a recurring motif that embodies the eternal dance of creation and decay, reminding us of the enduring human relationship with the land.