Harvest--The Plain of La Crau

Harvest--The Plain of La Crau is a defining drawing created by Vincent van Gogh in 1888 during his remarkably productive period in Arles, France. Classified as a work on paper, this impressive landscape was executed using a reed pen and brown ink applied over initial graphite studies on wove paper. These highly structured drawings from this time often served as independent finished pieces or as detailed visual concepts shared with his brother, Theo, conveying the visual intensity developed under the brilliant light of Provence.

The work exemplifies Gogh’s innovative approach to graphic arts, using the reed pen to create highly characteristic directional hatching, swirling patterns, and tight dots that convey the raw energy and texture of the southern French terrain. Executed toward the end of the pivotal period spanning 1876 to 1900, the drawing reflects the intense focus of this Dutch master on capturing the agricultural experience and the seasonal rhythms of farm life. The dynamic strokes transform the expansive Plain of La Crau into a vital, textured surface, contrasting the flat horizon line with the meticulous detail given to the fields, haystacks, and farm structures. Through his unique draughtsmanship, Gogh achieves a compositional energy often associated only with his oil paintings.

This drawing is recognized globally for its artistic quality and historical importance, forming part of the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Drawings by Gogh, particularly those documenting his crucial time in Arles, are highly prized documents of Post-Impressionist technique. While the original resides permanently in the NGA collection, the ongoing cultural relevance of the work ensures that high-quality prints and reproductions are widely available to art enthusiasts. The continued accessibility of the imagery, often through public domain initiatives, allows this exceptional example of the artist's draftsmanship to reach a broad international audience.