The artwork “Head of a Peasant (Study for the Potato Eaters)” by Vincent van Gogh, dated 1885, was created in Nuenen, Netherlands. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece belongs to the Realism movement and is a portrait measuring 39.4 by 30.2 centimeters. Currently housed in a private collection, this study serves as a preparatory work for van Gogh’s renowned painting “The Potato Eaters.”
The artwork depicts a peasant’s head, rendered with bold, expressive brush strokes characteristic of van Gogh’s style. The somber and earthy tones of the subject’s skin and attire convey the harsh and laborious life of rural workers. Detailed rendering of facial features emphasizes the ruggedness and weariness etched into the peasant’s expression. The play of light and shadow across the face creates a sense of depth and realism, reflecting van Gogh’s commitment to portraying authentic human conditions.
