The artwork under consideration is titled “Orphan Man with Top Hat, Drinking Coffee,” created by the illustrious artist Vincent van Gogh in the year 1882. Executed using chalk and pencil on paper, this piece is situated within the Realism art movement and falls under the genre painting category. The artwork is presently housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum located in Otterlo, Netherlands.
In the artwork, Van Gogh employs stark, monochromatic tones to illustrate a solitary, elderly man, seated on a simple wooden stool. The man is depicted in a moment of quiet reflection, drinking from a cup of coffee which he holds with both hands. His attire, consisting of a top hat and a long, dark coat, suggests a bygone era, and further signifies a sense of weariness and solemnity. The stark lines and meticulous shading, characteristic of Van Gogh’s early works, convey a profound sense of realism and evoke a somber, contemplative mood. The figure’s posture, with his bent head and hunched shoulders, enhances the atmosphere of solitude and pensiveness, providing a poignant glimpse into the individual’s challenging existence.
