Meadows near Rijswijk 1882

This painting, of unknown date, by Vincent van Gogh, captures a landscape near Rijswijk, with figures rendered in muted tones. Van Gogh's choice to depict laborers tilling the soil places the painting within a tradition of social realism, reflecting his early interests in representing the lives of working-class people. What’s striking is how the painting portrays the dignity and toil of labor. The figures are bent over, their bodies engaged in the strenuous work of cultivating the land, while the figures in the midground stand, facing us, less engaged in labor. The use of earth tones and loose brushstrokes evokes the physical and emotional landscape of the working class. The figures seem intimately connected to the land, their identities intertwined with the soil they work. Van Gogh is quoted as having said, “One must work and dare if one really wants to live.” This sentiment echoes through this poignant and dignified portrayal of rural life and labor.