The artwork named “Head of a Peasant Woman with Dark Cap” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nunen or Nuenen, Netherlands. It is an oil painting on canvas that belongs to the Realism art movement, characterized by its focus on portraying ordinary subjects with fidelity. This portrait, which exemplifies the genre of portraiture, is housed in the renowned Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
The artwork is a somber and poignant depiction of a peasant woman, rendered in profile against a dark, undefined background. Her dark cap merges into the shadows, emphasizing the contours of her face, which is illuminated with subdued, earthy tones. The meticulous attention to facial structure and the textured quality of the brushwork reflect Van Gogh’s commitment to realism and his empathy for the working class. The pensive expression on the woman’s face, combined with the muted palette, conveys a sense of dignity and resilience, characteristic of Van Gogh’s work during this period.
