“Peasant Woman, Planting Beets” is a work by Vincent van Gogh, executed in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands. This artwork, rendered in chalk on paper, falls under the Realism movement and is classified as a sketch and study.
The artwork depicts a peasant woman engrossed in the humble task of planting beets. She is portrayed in a bent posture, thoroughly engaged in her work, with one foot seemingly placed forward for support. Her attire is modest and typical of peasant clothing from the era, with a headscarf covering her hair and a long skirt flowing towards the ground. Next to her lies a coarse basket and a simple, rustic tool, both of which further emphasize the agrarian setting and the simplicity of the rural life Van Gogh sought to capture. The sketch is executed with deft, rapid strokes, showcasing Van Gogh’s keen eye for detail and ability to convey the dignity of labor through his realistic representation of the scene.
