Farmer sitting at the fireside and reading 1881

Vincent van Gogh created this drawing of a farmer sitting by the fireside sometime during his brief but intensely productive career. Van Gogh had a deep, almost spiritual connection to the working class, and his early artistic endeavors often focused on depicting the lives of peasants and laborers. This image presents a quiet, intimate moment—an elderly farmer, illuminated by the firelight, deeply engrossed in a book. His weathered face and worn clothing speak to a life of hard work and simplicity. Van Gogh’s choice of subject reflects his own empathetic view of the working class, who he saw as embodying a certain authenticity and connection to the earth. The farmer’s act of reading suggests a hunger for knowledge and a contemplative inner life. The warmth of the fire contrasts with the humble surroundings, creating a sense of dignity and quiet resilience in the face of hardship. Van Gogh once wrote about his desire to "learn to see things in a new light," and here he invites us to see the inner worth and humanity of those often overlooked.