À propos de l’œuvre
Veau nouveau-né sur la paille, par Vincent van Gogh
Attributed to Vincent van Gogh · July 1884 · Nuenen
Newborn calf on strawReproduction of oil painting on canvas
A newly born calf rests full length on light litter. Its black-brown body, still compact and fragile, stands out against the cream straw while the almost opaque bottom keeps all the attention on the animal.
Look at the work
An animal birth observed as closely as possible
The calf crosses the canvas horizontally, its head resting on the left and its legs folded or extended in front of it. This close framing leaves very little space for the stable decor.
Yellow and red accents follow the shoulder, stomach and limbs. They bring the body out of the dark background, while the straw is rendered by large white, cream and ocher passages.
Newborn calf on straw is documented as an oil on canvas of 31 × 43.5 cm located in Nuenen in July 1884. The work is given to Vincent van Gogh, but does not have a published F or JH reference.
Composition, touch and color
Three observations specific to this painting
The interest of this small composition lies in the contrast between a very dark animal silhouette and an almost white litter. However, its documentation remains less complete than that of the works listed in the catalogs raisonnés.
The body forms a long, low diagonal
From the head to the hind legs, the calf follows a slightly descending axis which animates a still pose and concentrates the mass in the lower half.
The light focuses on the straw
The cream bed acts as a light reserve; the yellow touches that catch the coat gradually connect the animal to this light surface.
The background eliminates almost any context
No walls or barn objects are precisely described. The depth is born only from the greenish black behind the back and the light edges of the litter.
Documented benchmarks
Precisely identify the original work
The available documentation indicates July 1884, Nuenen, an oil on canvas of 31 × 43.5 cm and a particular collection, without reference F or JH.
An identification to be presented with caution
The image is distributed under the name Van Gogh, but the absence of an issue in the two main catalogs raisonnés does not give it the same documentary level as F38 or F123.
A subject consistent with the rural world
During this period, Van Gogh worked in contact with farms, farmers, draft animals and the agricultural landscapes of Brabant.
A low and close canvas
The ratio of 43.5 cm to 31 cm is suitable for the calf's lying position and avoids dispersing the gaze into a secondary setting.
Your reproduction
What the painter must preserve
The copy must preserve the lying silhouette, the irregularly folded legs, the red reflections of the coat, the very light straw and the black green background without inventing any missing details.
- Head lowered to the left edge
- Yellow accents on the shoulder
- The long, clear leg of the foreground
- The contrast between the belly and the straw
- The dark background above the back
Work sheet
| Title | Newborn calf on straw |
|---|---|
| Artist | Attributed to Vincent van Gogh (1853 -1890) |
| Date | July 1884 |
| Place of creation | Nuenen |
| Original technique | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 31 × 43.5 cm |
| Inventory | Without F · number without JH number |
| Conservation | Private collection |
| Your reproduction | Handmade oil painting on canvas |
From order to shipping
In your interior
An animal scene of brown, cream and ocher
Black brown, straw cream, golden ocher, deep green and red give a rustic presence to a kitchen, country house, office or interior dedicated to animals.
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 reference image was preserved in its native definition of 2526 × 1758 px and then converted to a real WebP, without artificial 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.
