I refer to Vincent Van Gogh's nameless, faceless image simply as "Van Gogh's Peasant." Like a ghostly specter he centers Van Gogh's canvas, locked forever in the endless task of harvesting the fruit of the land. He appears to be a farmer, possibly Amish, with his large, rough hands and a back permantly stooped from years of hard labor.
This story releases the image from its canvas prison. It gives life to the man, however temporary, and allows him to end his labor. True to the sketch, the story maintains his nameless and faceless persona, allowing that void to be filled by the unique experiences of each reader.
This short story is inspired by the Van Gogh sketch, Peasant with Sickle, Seen from the Back, F1313, on display in the Kroller-Muller Museum, the Netherlands. The image on the front cover is used with their permission. "Van Gogh's Peasant" is written as an allegory.
Professional Reviews
A Study in Understatement!
"Van Gogh's Peasant" by Steven M. Ulmen (Publish America 2004): This short story, inspired by one of Van Gogh's lesser known drawings, Peasant with Sickle, Seen from the Back, is a pleasant and low-key depiction of an old farmer in the twilight of his life. This story, while not specifically about Van Gogh at all, uses this simple and poignant drawing as the basis for a lyrical tale of the never-named farmer's lonely but satisfying life. Ulmen's story, with virtually no dialogue, is a study in understatement--a trait many aspiring writers should try to emulate. - David Brooks, The Van Gogh Gallery, Toronto, Canada
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