“Peasant with Sickle, Seen from the Back,” is a chalk-on-paper artwork created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885, during his time in Nuenen, Netherlands. The piece is part of the Realism art movement and falls under the genre of a sketch and study. This significant work resides in the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts a peasant seen from the back, engaged in manual labor with a sickle in hand. Rendered meticulously in chalk, the sketch captures the texture and forms of the peasant’s attire and posture with impressive attention to detail. The figure’s stance, slightly bent forward, conveys the physical exertion and the routine nature of agricultural work. The background is suggestive of tall grasses, executed with loose, expressive strokes that contrast with the more defined lines of the peasant. Van Gogh’s expertise in portraying the dignity of rural labor is evident in this piece, emphasizing the artist’s deep empathy and understanding of his subjects.
