“Peasant Woman, Pitching Wheat or Hay,” created by the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh in 1885, in Nunen / Nuenen, Netherlands, exemplifies the Realism art movement. This work, a sketch and study rendered in chalk on paper, captures the essence of rural labor. Presently housed in the Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht, Netherlands, the artwork depicts a peasant woman engaging in the physical act of pitching wheat or hay, characterized by her humble attire and focused demeanor.
The artwork is a monochromatic sketch featuring a peasant woman from behind. She is depicted in mid-action, using a tool to pitch wheat or hay. Her attire consists of a modest dress and a headscarf, typical of peasantry fashion of the time. The lines are fluid yet deliberate, imbuing the artwork with a sense of movement and laborious effort. The simplicity of the surroundings hones the viewer’s focus on the central figure, honoring the realism inherent in van Gogh’s work during this period. The sketch captures the tired yet unyielding spirit of the peasant woman, embodying the artist’s sympathetic view toward the rural working class.
