Van Gogh, Vincent – Morning. Departure work Hermitage ~ part 02

The canvas presents a rural scene imbued with a palpable sense of early morning activity. Here we observe a woman seated atop a donkey, burdened with what appears to be a basket or container secured on the animals back. She is accompanied by a man, clad in working attire and holding a tool – likely a pitchfork or similar agricultural implement – that he leans upon as he walks alongside the beast of burden.
The landscape stretches out behind them, rendered with vigorous brushstrokes that convey both texture and movement. The sky dominates the upper portion of the composition, its swirling patterns suggesting an atmospheric dynamism. Below, the ground is a patchwork of ochre and brown tones, punctuated by sparse vegetation. In the distance, other figures are discernible, engaged in what seems to be field work, contributing to the overall impression of a community actively involved in labor.
The artist’s application of paint is characterized by thick impasto, creating a tactile surface that emphasizes the physicality of the scene. The colors are muted yet vibrant, with blues and yellows predominating, lending an air of melancholy tinged with hope.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of rural life, the painting seems to explore themes of toil and perseverance. The woman’s posture on the donkey suggests a weariness born from routine labor, while the mans stance conveys a quiet determination. The vastness of the landscape dwarfs the figures, hinting at the scale of their tasks and perhaps alluding to humanity’s relationship with nature – a sense of both dependence and insignificance within a larger world. The presence of other workers in the background reinforces this notion of collective effort and shared experience.
The compositions asymmetry, with the donkey and rider positioned off-center, contributes to a feeling of dynamism and prevents the scene from appearing static or overly formal. It is a moment captured not as a grand spectacle but as an ordinary occurrence within the rhythm of rural existence.