The artwork titled “Peasant Woman Gleaning” was created by the artist Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands. Executed with chalk on paper, this piece is part of the Realism art movement and falls under the genre of sketch and study. The artwork measures 42.5 by 53.3 centimeters and currently resides in a private collection.
This compelling sketch captures a moment of rural life, depicting a peasant woman bent over, engaged in the act of gleaning—collecting leftover crops from harvested fields. Van Gogh’s use of chalk accentuates the texture and movement of the woman’s attire and the earthy environment she inhabits. The lines are vigorous yet deliberate, conveying the physicality and labor inherent in her task. The stooped posture and detailed rendering of her hands emphasize the diligence and humility of her work, embodying van Gogh’s deep appreciation and empathy for the rural working class.
