First Steps, after Millet (1890)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
"First Steps, after Millet" by Vincent van Gogh is a vibrant and endearing painting, depicting a touching scene of early childhood. Painted in 1890, this work is based on a theme originally explored by the French artist Jean-François Millet. Van Gogh's interpretation is filled with his characteristic bold and expressive brushwork, and a vivid palette that brings the scene to life.In the painting, we see a rural setting with a lush, green landscape filled with trees and foliage. The setting is serene and filled with natural light, suggesting a late afternoon with shadows that enrich the texture of the surface.The focal point of the piece is a young child, just beginning to take their first tentative steps. The child, clad in a long dress typical of the period, reaches out towards a man, presumably the father, who kneels with outstretched arms ready to catch the child if needed. His posture is one of encouragement and readiness, reflecting a universal moment of parental support during a significant milestone in a child's life.To the right, a woman, likely the mother, bends forward slightly as she gently lets go of the child's hands, guiding and supporting this moment of independence.