Harvest--The Plain of La Crau, 1888
reed pen and brown ink over graphite on wove paper
overall: 24.2 x 31.9 cm (9 1/2 x 12 9/16 in.)
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
1992.51.10

Van Gogh was committed to the craft of his art. Behind his expressive painting are countless drawings with bold, sure lines. He made studies, sometimes with notes about color, in preparation for painting, but he also drew scenes3ƒ4like this one3ƒ4that he had already painted, to further his skill and understanding. Van Gogh sometimes sent drawings as gifts or used them in exchanges with other artists.