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Primary sourcePainting3 October 1883

Sketches, 3 October 1883

Vincent van Gogh · 3 October 1883

A pen or pencil sketch by Van Gogh dated October 1883, showing a village scene with several figures.

An example of Van Gogh's own sketching practice from 1883, showing his early development as an artist.

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Black-and-white reproduction of a pen or pencil sketch showing a village scene: a woman in a head covering sits on the left beside a seated figure, a woman in a window frame appears at center, a figure walks on the right, and rooftops and a bare tree fill the background.
Vincent van Gogh, sketch, 3 October 1883.

About this source

What it is

This is a sketch made by Vincent van Gogh, dated 3 October 1883. It is part of his habit of including drawings in his letters, showing a village scene.

Why it matters

Van Gogh frequently used sketches to practice composition and to communicate scenes to his correspondents, often his brother Theo. This drawing offers insight into his early artistic development before his more famous paintings.

Look closer

  • What mood or atmosphere does the sketch create through its figures and setting?
  • Why might Van Gogh have chosen this particular village scene to draw?
  • What can you tell about his skill and style from this early sketch?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Vincent van Gogh on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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