Basket of Potatoes 1885

Boil them, mash them, stick them in a stew! We often associate painting with important subjects – breathtaking landscapes, portraits of public figures, grand mythological scenes. In September 1885, the celebrated Post-Impressionist Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) chose to paint something rather different… a simple wicker basket brimming with potatoes! This work might seem remarkably different to the colourful landscapes that we often associate with the famous artist. However, it conceals many aspects of his signature style. Did you notice his use of impasto, where paint has been thickly spread onto the canvas? This creates a three-dimensional texture, and was achieved using a palette knife. We can also see areas of the blocky brushstrokes that we know so well. ️ Van Gogh’s oil painting of the humble vegetable is far from mundane. The brown colouring of the basket and background are almost gloomy, yet there are areas of remarkable warmth created through his handling of highlight. He used multiple shades of a colour known as ‘terra sienna’, a natural ochre pigment. By choosing to prioritise earth tones within this painting, Van Gogh emphasised the natural and raw state of the crops which formed a staple in many peasant’s diets. ️ The artist created several still lives in the same month as this painting. Many of them featured potatoes! What’s your favourite way to eat them?