The artwork titled “Peasant Woman, Head,” created by Vincent van Gogh circa 1884 in Nuenen, Netherlands, is a notable example of the Realism movement. Rendered in chalk and ink on paper, this piece falls under the genre of sketch and study. It currently resides in the Kunsthandel Ivo Bouwman Collection in The Hague, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts the head and shoulders of a peasant woman. Van Gogh uses bold and expressive lines to capture the stern and earnest expression on her face, which conveys a sense of dignity and resilience. The woman is adorned with a headscarf, typical of rural wear in the artist’s contemporary Netherlands, highlighting the authenticity and simplicity of rural life. The dark and forceful strokes give the artwork a raw and textured appearance, reinforcing the somber mood and the artist’s keen observational skills. The background remains abstract and undefined, ensuring the viewer’s focus remains on the subject’s face and the trials etched into her features.
