Shoes were an unusual subject to paint in Van Gogh’s time. 👞 Most artists painted elegant still lifes, often symbolising wealth. But Vincent was drawn to these objects that ‘bore the scars of life’. He even bought old work shoes at flea markets, walked through the mud in them, and only then considered them worthy of painting.
What do you see in this still life? Some see a disguised self-portrait. Others, a symbol of Van Gogh’s long journeys. Or perhaps he simply loved capturing their worn beauty.
🖼️ ‘A Pair of Shoes’, 1887 © Baltimore Museum of Art