Charrette de boeuf (The Ox Cart). Vincent van Gogh. Vincent van Gogh - Charrette de boeuf.jpg (source). Public domain — PD-Art.
Charrette de boeuf (The Ox Cart)
Vincent van Gogh · 1884, July
- Catalog
- F39
- Date
- 1884, July
- Place painted
- Nuenen
- Museum
- Portland Art Museum
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
About the painting
Charrette de boeuf (The Ox Cart) is a powerful early work from Van Gogh's Nuenen period, demonstrating his deep empathy for rural life. The painting depicts an ox-drawn cart, a symbol of agricultural labor, rendered with a somber, earthy palette of browns, greens, and grays. Van Gogh's thick, textured brushstrokes emphasize the ruggedness of the animals and the cart, conveying the arduousness of farm work. This piece reflects his commitment to portraying the unvarnished reality and quiet dignity of peasant existence, a central theme during his Dutch years, and a stark contrast to his later, more colorful works.
Collection: Portland Art Museum. 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.