Digger in a Potato Field: February 1885

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing of a digger in a potato field in the Netherlands, likely in the 1880s. The lone figure, back turned to us, is caught in the laborious act of tilling the earth. Van Gogh’s work invites questions about the social conditions that shape artistic production. This image encapsulates the realities of rural labor in 19th-century Europe. The potato was a staple crop, and the act of digging symbolizes sustenance and survival. Note how the composition places the viewer at ground level, almost as if we are sharing the worker's burden. Van Gogh often depicted laborers, showing a clear interest in the working class, and aligning with the era’s burgeoning socialist movements. To fully appreciate Van Gogh's vision, we can explore letters, period photographs, and the socio-economic histories of the Netherlands, especially considering the role of institutions such as the art market in shaping Van Gogh’s career and artistic choices.