Vincent was a big fan of Millet’s work before he was an artist himself. Right at the beginning of his painting career, he already copied Millet (1814 - 1875).

Today 141 years go, on 7 September 1880,

Vincent van Gogh wrote from Cuesmes in Belgium:

"Dear Theo,

As for the sheets, etchings &c. that you sent me some time ago, I received them safely and I thank you very much for them. You did me a great service by sending them. I’ll tell you, then, that I’ve sketched the 10 sheets of Millet’s Labours of the fields (in approximately the dimensions of a sheet of the Bargue Cours de dessin) and that I’ve completely finished one of them, namely The woodcutter.”

Later in his career van Gogh painted no less than 21 copies Van Gogh made of Millet’s work. Vincent had no idea he would become one of the most famous artists in the world himself one day.

The Woodcutter (Jean-François Millet (1814 - 1875)
1853–54
Conté crayon with stumping on beige laid paper
29,8 x 38.1cm
The Metropolitan Museum, New York

You may also like to read:
When did Van Gogh start copying Millet??
The Woodcutter (Jean-François Millet (1814 - 1875)

Your daily dose of Van Gogh.

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      07-09-2021 22:02     Comments ( 0 )
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