Reaper

Vincent van Gogh's Reaper is part of a series of three oil-on-canvas paintings depicting a man reaping a wheat field beneath a bright, early-morning sun. Van Gogh saw the Realism scene as a metaphor for death, with the reaper symbolizing mortality and humanity being the wheat being reaped. Despite this somber theme, he viewed the work as almost smiling and illuminated by a golden light in broad daylight. The painting likely began as a sketch and study, possibly using chalk for preliminary outlines. Its textured surface resembles paper in appearance, showcasing Van Gogh’s expressive brushwork.