The artwork entitled “Farmer sitting at the fireside and reading” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1881 in the Netherlands. Executed with pencil on paper, this piece falls within the Realism art movement and the genre painting category. It is currently held at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
In the artwork, an elderly farmer is depicted seated near a fireside, engaged in reading a book. The dimly lit scene is characterized by the soft glow of the fire, which casts shadows and illuminates the subject’s worn, yet focused, countenance. The farmer, clad in simple, yet warm clothing, sits on a rustic wooden chair. A kettle and other modest elements of hearthside comfort are visible, enhancing the intimate, tranquil ambiance of the setting. The composition, rendered with delicate pencil strokes, underscores the quiet, contemplative moment and the simplicity of rural life.
