“In fall and winter 1889–90, while a voluntary patient at the asylum in Saint-Rémy, Van Gogh painted twenty-one copies after Millet, an artist he greatly admired. He considered his copies “translations” akin to a musician’s interpretation of a composer’s work. He let the black-and-white images—whether prints, reproductions, or, as here, a photograph that his brother, Theo, had sent—pose “as a subject,” then he would “improvise color on it.” For this work of January 1890, Van Gogh squared-up a photograph of Millet’s First Steps and transferred it to the canvas.”
Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Vincent van Gogh – Paintings, Drawings, Quotes, Biography
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At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet 
Great!
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😎💞🙏
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I have not seen this painting before. Thank you!
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My pleasure, always, Sheila. 🌻
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Van Gogh’s notion of “translating” another artist’s work reminds me of the way photographers sometimes go to the scenes of old photographs and make new versions of them. That’s known as rephotography.
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What a fascinating article! Thank you, Steve. 🌻
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My favorite of his. I saw this in person while in NY a few years back….
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How fortunate you are to see this in person! Someday I would love to cross this off my bucket list. 🙂
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We love Van Gogh! Thank you for this treat!
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My pleasure, always, Katie. He is my #1. 🙂
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I think he is mine too!! 🙂
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Ah, one of my favourite artists, paintings and pieces of music. Thanks My Friend for sharing.
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My pleasure, always, Goff. 😎
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Cheers. Happy Blogging My Friend.
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The body language of the father is a poem in itself.
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Indeed, yes! I found a charcoal and pastel drawing by Millet of this scene which expresses that same golden moment. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/first-steps-jean-fran%C3%A7ois-millet-french-1814%E2%80%931875/DgGOX_SLoeLZHQ?hl=en. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ana. 💞
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🙏✨
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Yes, these are certainly his interpretations of Millet, marked by his own genius.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Dolly. 🙂
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My pleasure, dear friend.
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First Steps is heart-melting.
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Yes, every mother remembers….😊
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I didn’t know this Van Gogh – thanks for digging it out and sharing – together with the music as always!
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My pleasure, always, Andy. I am happy you enjoy this. 😊
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Beautiful, I’ve never seen this one before. Thanks for sharing ❤️
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My pleasure, always. ❤️
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