Tiled Roof with Chimneys and Church Tower 1888

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing of a tiled roof, chimneys, and church tower with pen and ink on paper. The roof is depicted with great attention to detail, with each individual tile carefully delineated through linear perspective. It’s a humble subject, yet the careful attention Van Gogh pays to the built environment is testament to his belief in the dignity of labor. The red clay tiles would have been made by hand, one by one, then fired in a kiln. The labor-intensive process of producing them is echoed in Van Gogh's own painstaking mark-making. The church tower in the background reminds us that these vernacular materials were a ubiquitous part of 19th-century life – from the humblest dwelling to the grandest cathedral. Van Gogh elevates these everyday materials through his art, prompting us to consider the value of craftsmanship and the social context in which art is created.