The artwork, titled “Head of a Woman,” was crafted by Vincent van Gogh around the year 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands. Executed using chalk and pencil on paper, this piece is representative of the Realism art movement and belongs to the portrait genre. Currently, the artwork is housed in the Van Gogh Museum located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
“Head of a Woman” captures the solemn and contemplative expression of the female subject depicted, rendered meticulously in dark, somber tones. The detailed and textured use of chalk and pencil deftly highlights the contours and features of her face. Her piercing gaze and the rough yet precise strokes used by van Gogh convey a raw, unfiltered glimpse into her persona. The background remains understated, ensuring the viewer’s focus remains on the poignant expression of the woman, embodying the realist approach for which this period of van Gogh’s work is recognized.
