The Sheep-Shearer 

Editor: Here we have van Gogh’s "The Sheep-Shearer," likely created around 1888-1889, using oil paint and with visible impasto. I find the depiction of labor and its material consequences rather striking. What elements draw your attention most? Curator: I’m immediately struck by how this image presents labor. We see it rendered in impasto, that thick application of paint, almost as if the very act of shearing—the physical work itself—is materially embedded within the canvas. Consider the social context: van Gogh often depicted the working class, showing their integral role in shaping society through tangible work. Editor: It feels almost like a glorification of labor, not just a depiction. Do you think he saw inherent value in the process itself? Curator: I'd argue that yes, he does. He's not shying away from the physicality or the inherent laboriousness of the task. But how is the means of production conveyed here? The rudimentary tools, the weathered hands, and even the sheep itself… These elements show labor's effect on all aspects of this scene. The texture, formed with the oil paint, turns the act of shearing into a palpable part of our experience as viewers. The social impact on the producers and raw material is rendered visible through paint. Editor: So, by focusing on the materials and process, we can unpack a deeper meaning about labor and value? Curator: Precisely. We aren’t just looking at an image of labor, we’re considering its production, its consumption, its social worth. Editor: That’s a really interesting way to think about this. I hadn't considered how much the medium contributes to the message. Curator: Understanding the materials helps to give an artistic insight that may be hard to get without it!