The artwork, “Head of a Peasant Woman with Dark Cap,” was executed by the illustrious artist Vincent van Gogh in 1885 while he resided in Nuenen, Netherlands. Rendered with oil on canvas, the piece embodies the Realism movement and is classified as a portrait. Presently, it resides in the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
In this work, Van Gogh masterfully portrays the profile of a peasant woman, her face illuminated against a dark background. The woman wears a dark cap, which seamlessly blends into the somber tones surrounding her. Her expression is captured with a sense of stoic dignity, reflecting Van Gogh’s profound respect for the rural working class. The simplicity of the composition, combined with the artist’s precise use of light and shadow, accentuates the realism and raw humanity of the subject. The earthy tones employed in the painting further anchor it in the realm of realism, emphasizing Van Gogh’s commitment to depicting the authentic essence of his subjects.
