Vincent's cousin, Anton Mauve, was a successful artist. He helped Vincent work with charcoal and pastels, introduced him to oil painting, and even provided him with a studio.
However, Vincent could only afford to use oil paints when he had money. Unfortunately, the money he had saved from working was spent on relationships and was quickly depleted when he stopped working.
Without funds, Vincent turned to drawing with pencils and charcoal as he wandered around Nuenen, capturing the scenes around him.
The kingfisher (1884)
During this period, potatoes were an essential part of European life. They were a staple food, and scenes of growing and harvesting potatoes were common throughout the countryside. As a result, Vincent frequently included potatoes in his paintings.
The Bulb fields (1883)
Ploughman with woman planting potatoes (1884)
One evening, Vincent passed by a family gathered around a table, cooking and eating potatoes under the dim light of an oil lamp. Captivated by the scene, he didn't hesitate to capture it in his artwork.
The family that served as his models had a daughter named Sien, the same name as a woman Vincent had previously met. This daughter, despite being unmarried, became pregnant, causing quite a stir in the small village. Although Sien herself never claimed anything, the villagers quickly jumped to the conclusion that Vincent Van Gogh was responsible.
The parish in Nuenen advised the villagers not to model for Vincent, and he was forbidden from drawing peasants or women. As a result, Vincent could only paint landscapes in this area.
Vincent sent his paintings from this period to his brother Theo, and a dealer in Paris suggested exhibiting Vincent's work. However, Vincent's dark and somber paintings attracted the dealer's attention but failed to gain mainstream appeal. Even Theo urged Vincent to paint in a lighter style.
Though the paintings from this time were not successful initially, one of them, later titled *The Potato Eaters*, eventually sold for a high price.
The potato eaters (1885)
Speaking of potatoes, the varieties found in the Netherlands and Belgium are incredibly diverse and serve as a staple food. They are perfect for frying and various dishes, boasting a dry, fluffy, and mild texture—ideal for making fries. This might be why Belgium is considered the birthplace of French fries.
Still life with an earthern bowl and potatoes (1885)
