Exercise 4.0. Look at the two paintings above and account for their similarities and differences in three columns -one for each artist- Millet and van Gogh- either side of a column for similarities. Indicate the differences by underlining the appropriate description on the outer columns.

On the left: The Sower, Jean François Millet, 1850, oil on canvas; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, image via http://www.theartstory.com;

On the right: The Sower, Van Gogh, 1889,oil on canvas; Kroller-Muller Museum, image via http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl;

• 

• 

J.F.Millet	Similarities	Van Gogh
	Both paintings contain the same subject and share a common overall composition. Both of them are considered as figurative painting;
	Both paintings emphasise the human figure, not the landscape;
	Differences
The Sower looks much bigger and powerful; As per art historian Althea Callen: «…Millet intentionally transformed his human labourer into a sinewy giant of a man, elongating his proportions… »		Van Gogh`s Sower looks smaller, the limbs are thinner and shorter. The shoulders are not that muscular and wide.
His gesture of throwing seeds looks dramatic and meaningful, his arm is longer and looks stronger as well as his legs and steps he is taking; The limbs are painted as muscular and strong; His overall image can be characterised as the Sower is very determined with his action of sowing, giving a strong feeling that he sowing is not just a routine action but a meaningful and important; will full activity.		The skies look as more noticeable and bright because of yellow colour, which signifies a Sun light. the Sower is under these skies, what gives an impression of him, acting according to somebody`s will. Sower`s will is not dominating over the Nature.
The colour tones are earthy and darker; The contrasts are soft;		The colours are greenish and yellow, some sort of radiant what makes the image as more imaginary, less realistic; the contrasts are strong, the figure is even outlined by dark colour;
The paints are laid on the canvas in a flat, soft manner;		Thickly applied paint;

Bibliography:

1. Editors of The Art Story, Jean-Francois Millet Artworks, French painter, online on http://www.theartstory.org; (accessed on June 21, 2021);
2. Editors of the web site of Kroller -Muller Museum, Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890); oil on canvas, online on http://www.krollermuller.nl; (accessed on June 21, 2021)