Wheat Fields at Auvers Under Clouded Sky 1890

Curator: This is Van Gogh's "Wheat Fields at Auvers Under Clouded Sky," painted in 1890. Look closely at the swirling blues, yellows, and greens--the painting's colors almost seem to vibrate with the wind! Editor: It’s beautiful and kind of turbulent. What always strikes me about Van Gogh is the incredible texture of his oil paints and the very visible brushstrokes. What do you make of his particular use of materials in this landscape? Curator: Absolutely. Notice how Van Gogh applies paint directly from the tube, creating that famous impasto texture. Think about this technique in terms of the labor involved, almost a form of physical struggle represented through material application. Consider too the rising popularity and commercial availability of pre-mixed paints in tubes during this period; how does this change the nature of art-making and consumption, making the creative process more individual and mobile, less reliant on the workshop? Editor: So, the accessibility of materials and new ways of working really changed the way Van Gogh could represent his ideas about nature and labor? Curator: Precisely. Also, reflect on the socio-economic position of agricultural laborers, represented indirectly, perhaps romanticized here, yet speaking to contemporary debates concerning industrialization, agrarian life, and class division in late 19th century France. Van Gogh’s materiality then reflects societal anxieties and shifts. How does thinking about that shift impact your view of the painting's initial "turbulence?” Editor: That's fascinating – thinking about the changing material conditions makes me consider what's not pictured here and what this might leave out in terms of a more grounded view of rural work. Thank you; I am beginning to see a completely new angle to Van Gogh now. Curator: My pleasure. Viewing art through its materials truly offers invaluable perspectives, shifting the focus to production, consumption, and labor interwoven in even the most seemingly simple landscapes.