A recently opened exhibition at the Beaux-Arts Mons, in Belgium examines van Gogh's stay in the Borinage (a depressed coal mining region in southern Belgium) from 1878-1880, a pivotal time during which the artist abandoned his failed attempt at a preaching career and instead embraced drawing and painting.

In a letter written to his brother Theo, he expressed his longing to draw, and started by copying prints. Van Gogh, who felt a connection with the town's peasants and workers, began to focus on scenes from their everyday lives, themes that would continue throughout the duration of his short career.