Vincent Van Gogh - Primi Passi (31.5 in x 23.5 in)

• Title: First Steps, after Millet (widely known by its Italian translation, Primi Passi).

• Artist: Vincent van Gogh.

• Date of Creation: 1890.

• Medium: The original work is an oil on canvas painting.

• Dimensions: 72.4 cm x 91.1 cm (28.5 in x 35.8 in).

• Current Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, New York City.

Historical Context and The Millet Connection

• Van Gogh's First Steps is a painted copy of a work by the French artist Jean-François Millet.

• Millet originally completed his first version of First Steps in 1858.

• In October 1889, Van Gogh's brother, Theo, sent him a photograph of Millet's first version of the painting.

• At the time, Van Gogh was residing in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

• Three months after receiving the photograph, Van Gogh drew a squared grid over it to help guide his proportions.

• He then commenced his own painted interpretation of the work.

• By copying the photograph, Van Gogh was able to breathe his vivid colors and emotional style into Millet's original peasant scene.