À propos de l’œuvre
Le moissonneur, par Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh · September 1889 · Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
The Reaper, after Millet, F688Reproduction of oil painting on canvas
Seen from behind, a harvester advances in a yellow field under an almost pure blue sky. Its massive body and the long curve of the scythe give this little painting after Millet immediate physical tension.
Look at the work
A body bent between the sky and the wheat
The figure fills almost the entire height. The yellow hat, light shirt and ocher pants stand out against the blue of the sky, while the spread legs give the gesture a solid foundation.
The scythe arcs down to the right and meets the yellow lines of the field. On the horizon, a second tiny figure and a few sheaves are enough to extend the space behind the worker.
The harvester is not a detail of the landscape: his silhouette becomes the axis of the composition, and the curve of the scythe transforms the work into continuous movement.
Composition, touch and color
Three observations specific to this painting
This oil on canvas measuring 43.3 × 24.3 cm bears the references F688/JH1783. Painted in September 1889, it now belongs to a private collection.
A very close point of view
Van Gogh enlarges the figure until it mentally overflows from the small format. The spectator is almost at the height of the field, behind the harvester.
The scythe draws the gesture
The handle and blade extend the inclination of the shoulders. Their curve directly connects the body to the cut wheat and makes the effort of the rotation visible.
Yellow and blue carry space
The field and the sky are separated into two very clear zones. The light silhouette can be seen on the blue, while its legs anchor in the yellows and greens of the ground.
Documented benchmarks
Precisely identify the original work
The Harvester F688/JH1783 was painted in Saint-Rémy in September 1889. It measures 43.3 × 24.3 cm and is in a private collection.
According to Jean-François Millet
The pose comes from a print reproducing a composition by Millet. Van Gogh retained the subject but invented a colorful range specific to the light of Provence.
Switch from black and white to color
Without an original painting in front of him, Van Gogh treated his covers like a performer: he transposed the values of the print into oppositions of yellow, blue and green.
F688, to be distinguished from F687
This version shows the worker from behind with his scythe. It should not be confused with the Harvester F687 kept at the Van Gogh Museum.
Your reproduction
What the painter must preserve
The copy must restore the silhouette seen from behind, the precise curve of the scythe, the luminous yellow of the field, the deep blue of the sky and the small figure placed on the horizon.
- The yellow hat and the rounded back
- The long dark curve of the scythe
- The clear opposition of the yellow field and the blue sky
- The second tiny worker in the distance
Work sheet
| Title | The Reaper, after Millet, F688 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh (1853 -1890) |
| Date | September 1889 |
| Place of creation | Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France |
| Original technique | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 43.3 × 24.3 cm |
| Inventory | Private collection · F688 · JH1783 |
| Conservation | Private collection |
| Your reproduction | Handmade oil painting on canvas |
From order to shipping
In your interior
A direct contrast of yellow and blue
The narrow vertical format brings a strong presence in an entrance, office or near a library. Wheat yellow and bright blue awaken cream, sand or warm gray walls.
Frequently asked questions
Before ordering
Is this a canvas print?
No. Each reproduction is manually painted in oil on canvas. Brushstrokes and material variations belong to the final result.
How is the visual reference chosen?
The public domain image of 1,812 × 3,246 px has been reduced to a true WebP of 1,675 × 3,000 px, without cropping or enlargement.
Can I check the result before shipping?
Yes. Photographs of the finished painting are sent to you; you can request alterations before validating the shipment.
Are custom formats possible?
Yes. The format can be adapted to your wall while maintaining the proportions and balance of the original composition.
