Footwear by Vincent

Vincent van Gogh - A Pair of Leather Clogs - Spring 1889, Arles - Oil on canvas, 33 x 41 cm - Rijksmuseum Vincent van Gogh, Amsterdam (click photo for larger image)In his Parisian period, Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) painted four still-lifes featuring footwear. In Arles he returned to the topic twice, once in the summer of 1888, to paint a pair of boots, and another time in 1889 to portray this pair of leather clogs on a table. In the choice of such subject matter van Gogh was most probably inspired by a print of wooden clogs by Millet. Working boots or wooden shoes could symbolize dedication to one's work and subject matter.
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