A Pair of Leather Clogs

Catalogue numbers: F 607, JH 1364.

In his Parisian period van Gogh painted four still-lifes featuring footwear. In Arles he returned to the topic twice, once in the summer of 1888, to paint a pair of boots, and another time in 1889 to portray this pair of leather clogs on a table. In the choice of such subject matter van Gogh was most probably inspired by a print of wooden clogs by Millet. Working boots or wooden shoes could symbolize dedication to one's work and subject matter.