In 1880, Vincent van Gogh was at a pivotal moment in his life and career, marking the beginning of his serious pursuit of art as a vocation. Prior to this year, van Gogh had explored various professions, including working as an art dealer, a teacher, and a preacher, but he had struggled to find a path that suited him. His decision to dedicate himself fully to art in 1880 was a turning point that would eventually lead him to become one of the most celebrated artists in history. At the age of 27, van Gogh was living in the Borinage, a coal-mining region in Belgium, where he had been working as a lay preacher. Deeply affected by the harsh conditions faced by the miners and their families, van Gogh’s initial artistic efforts were focused on capturing the struggles and dignity of the working class. His early drawings from 1880, such as "The Diggers" and studies of miners, reflect his deep empathy for the laborers and his desire to document their lives with honesty and respect (Encyclopedia Britannica) (Van Gogh Biography). This period in van Gogh’s life was marked by intense introspection and a search for meaning. His decision to become an artist was influenced by his brother Theo, who encouraged him to pursue art as a means of expressing his ideals and emotions. Van Gogh’s early work in 1880 was largely self-taught, driven by his study of anatomy, perspective, and the works of artists he admired, such as Jean-François Millet and Charles Bargue. His drawings from this time are characterized by their attention to detail and the use of dark, earthy tones, reflecting the somber mood of his subjects and the environment around him (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) (vangoghgallery). In 1880, van Gogh also began to correspond more frequently with Theo, sharing his thoughts and progress as an artist. These letters provide valuable insight into van Gogh’s developing artistic philosophy, which emphasized the importance of working from life and capturing the essence of his subjects. Van Gogh’s commitment to his art during this year laid the foundation for his later, more mature work, as he continued to refine his skills and explore new themes and techniques (Encyclopedia Britannica). The year 1880 was crucial for van Gogh as it marked the beginning of his journey as an artist. His early works from this period, though not as widely known as his later masterpieces, are significant for their raw emotional power and the clarity of van Gogh’s vision. These works reflect the struggles and aspirations of a young artist who was just beginning to find his voice, setting the stage for the extraordinary artistic achievements that would follow in the years to come.