The Sower

Yesterday and today I worked on the sower, which is done completely differently. The sky is yellow and green, the ground violet and orange. There is certainly a picture of this kind to be painted of this splendid subject, and I hope it will be done someday, either by me or by someone else. Now, could you paint the Sower in color, with a simultaneous contrast of, for instance, yellow and violet, yes or no? Why, yes. Well, do it then. Yes, that is what old Martin said, "The masterpiece is up to you." But try it and you tumble into a regular metaphysical philosophy of color...a mess that is damnably difficult to get out of with honor. And it makes you as absent-minded as a sleepwalker. And yet if only one could do something good. Well, let's be of good heart, and not despair. I hope to send you this attempt along with some others soon.

Vincent to Theo in a letter from Arles, dated 22 July 1888.

The Sower, 1888

Van Gogh's The Sower is currently on view at the MFA Boston, on loan from the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, through August 8.