The artwork “Sketches of a Cottage and Figures,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1890 in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, is a work within the Post-Impressionist movement. Rendered using chalk and pencil on paper, the piece belongs to the genre of sketch and study. This notable sketch is housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In this monochromatic composition, a cottage is depicted in a rudimentary manner, characterized by its slanted roof and the suggestion of structural lines. In the foreground and throughout the scene, human figures are sparsely outlined, engaging in various unspecified activities. The strokes of the chalk and pencil are fluid yet deliberate, reflecting Van Gogh’s distinct style of capturing motion and essence rather than intricate details. The landscape around the cottage, although faintly outlined, hints at an undulating terrain, blending seamlessly with the simplified portrayal of nature and human life. The sketch conveys a serene and humble rural existence, invoking a sense of peaceful simplicity that is emblematic of Van Gogh’s later works.
