Field and Ploughman and Mill Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

The canvas presents a rural scene dominated by a vast expanse of field, rendered in thick, impasto strokes that convey both texture and movement. A ploughman, clad in simple work attire, guides a pair of oxen across the foreground, their dark forms contrasting with the golden hues of the harvested land. The figure is positioned on an elevated ridge, offering a vantage point over the landscape.
The field itself stretches into the distance, its surface undulating and broken by furrows left by previous ploughing. A lone windmill punctuates the midground, standing as a solitary sentinel against the horizon. Beyond this, low-lying hills rise gently, their forms softened by atmospheric perspective. The sky is turbulent, with swirling brushstrokes of blue and white suggesting an impending storm or a recent rainfall.
The color palette is predominantly warm – yellows, ochres, and browns – evoking a sense of late summer or early autumn. However, the inclusion of cooler tones in the sky and shadows introduces a visual tension that prevents the scene from becoming overly idyllic. The application of paint is vigorous and expressive; brushstrokes are visible and directional, contributing to the overall dynamism of the composition.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of labor and sustenance. The ploughman’s work represents the cyclical nature of agricultural life, a constant process of preparation for future harvests. The windmill, traditionally associated with grinding grain, reinforces this connection to food production. The vastness of the field suggests both abundance and the inherent challenges faced by those who depend on the land for their livelihood.
There is also an underlying sense of solitude and quiet contemplation. The ploughman appears isolated within the expansive landscape, his figure dwarfed by the scale of nature. This isolation might be interpreted as a reflection on human existence in relation to the natural world – a recognition of both dependence and insignificance. The turbulent sky introduces a note of melancholy or foreboding, hinting at the unpredictable forces that shape human destiny.