Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Ag in Art Vincent Van Gogh, Sheaves of Wheat in a Field, 1885 Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) viewed wheat as a central metaphor of the cycle of life, abundance and the creative process. As such, it was a theme that he consistently explored throughout his career. Setting up his easel in the fields, van Gogh painted the harvest during his last summer in Nuenen, Netherlands. His dedication to painting outdoors endured because he believed that the natural light on the fields could not be duplicated in the studio. Describe the light in this painting. How is outdoor light different from indoor light? Where are the shadows? Where is the light? Find the horizontal and vertical lines. What shapes do you see? Describe the use of color. What is the dominant color? Describe the texture. How is wheat a metaphor for the cycle of life, abundance and the creative process. P.A.S.S. for these activities Grade 1 - Visual Art: 1.1,2; 2.1,3 Grade 2 - Visual Art: 1.1,2; 2.1,3 Grade 3 - Visual Art: 1.1,2,3; 2.1,3 Grade 4 - Visual Art: 1.1,2,3; 2.1,3 Related lessons online: Wheat: From Field to Oven, The Wheat Plant Some Facts About Wheat Back to Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Back to Ag in Art Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H Youth Development, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.