The artwork titled “Peasant Woman Lifting Potatoes” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands. Rendered in chalk on paper, this piece belongs to the Realism movement and falls under the genre of sketch and study. This drawing is currently housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts a solitary peasant woman in the act of lifting potatoes from the ground, exuding a rustic and humble labor scene. The figure is bent over, almost at the middle, with her back prominently curved while both hands grasp potatoes. The woman’s attire is simple and utilitarian, suitable for manual labor. The backdrop features sparse trees and a windmill, suggesting a rural setting. Van Gogh’s use of chalk creates a sense of texture and depth, emphasizing the ruggedness of the peasant’s task. The strokes are expressive yet disciplined, capturing the essence of the working-class subject and the rural environment with striking realism. The overall composition reflects a moment of everyday life, imbued with a profound sense of dignity and earnestness.
