Van Gogh, Vincent (1853-1890)
Wheat Fields with Reaper, Auvers
1890
Oil on canvas, 73.6 x 93 cm
Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo
Though inspired by the observation of his immediate surroundings, Van Gogh was not interested in mimicking what he saw. As he wrote in 1888 to Theo, “Instead of trying to reproduce exactly what I have before my eyes, I use color more arbitrarily, to express myself more forcibly.” His thick, sculptural brushstrokes add to this forceful expression. (TMA)