Enclosed Field with Ploughman 1889

Vincent van Gogh made this ink drawing, Enclosed Field with Ploughman, on paper, at an unknown date. The drawing's power comes from the simple yet expressive lines van Gogh used to depict the landscape. Note how the furrows in the field are rendered with quick, rhythmic strokes, giving a sense of movement and energy. You can almost feel the weight of the labor involved in ploughing the land. Van Gogh's choice of ink and paper is also significant. These were readily available, inexpensive materials, reflecting his own humble circumstances. His focus on a ploughman connects to wider social issues of labor and rural life. Van Gogh elevated everyday scenes to the level of art, blurring the boundaries between high art and craft. Ultimately, this drawing reminds us that great art can be made with simple means, and that the act of making itself can imbue a work with profound meaning.