The artwork titled “Reaper,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands, is a chalk drawing on paper that is part of the Realism art movement. It is categorized as a sketch and study and is currently housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts a man engaged in the act of reaping. The figure is shown in profile, slightly bent over with both arms extended, each holding a sickle. The reaper is amidst tall grass or crops, which are rendered with loose, expressive strokes suggesting movement and texture. The clothing of the reaper, including a hat that shades his face and broad, sturdy shoes, signifies the humble and laborious task he is performing. The use of chalk on paper lends a sense of immediacy and raw expressiveness, capturing the essence of labor with a simplicity that borders on austerity. The rough, textured lines emphasize the physical exertion and the fundamental nature of the work, embodying the Realist ethos in its focus on everyday life and common people.
