A Pair of Boots. Vincent van Gogh. Shoes - My Dream.jpg (source). Public domain — PD-Art.
A Pair of Boots
Vincent van Gogh · 1887, early
- Catalog
- F333
- Date
- 1887, early
- Place painted
- Paris
- Museum
- Baltimore Museum of Art
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
About the painting
A Pair of Boots, painted during Van Gogh's pivotal two years in Paris, is a fascinating still life that reveals his continued fascination with the symbolic power of everyday objects. Unlike his earlier, more rustic boot paintings from Nuenen, this version reflects the vibrant palette and freer brushwork he absorbed from Impressionist influences. The worn leather and scuffed soles are rendered with visible, textured strokes, emphasizing their history and utility. For Van Gogh, these humble boots represented the hard life of a laborer and carried a profound sense of human presence, transforming a simple subject into a contemplative and empathetic study of existence.
Collection: Baltimore Museum of Art. Whether it is currently on view should be confirmed with the museum before visiting.
Research note: this entry is based on an evolving catalog. Dates, attribution, location and visitor information should be verified against the institution’s current records.