The artwork “Head of a Peasant Woman with Brownish Cap,” painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands, is an oil on canvas portrait that falls within the Realism movement. It is currently housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
The artwork presents a somber and intimate portrayal of a peasant woman, characterized by her distinct headwear, a brownish cap. The rendering is steeped in earth tones, with rich shadows accentuating the depth and contours of her face, giving the piece a profound sense of realism and humanity. The background is dark, which further emphasizes the subject’s features, drawing the viewer’s attention to the expressive eyes and the rugged textures of her skin. Through this artwork, Van Gogh captures the dignity and resilience of rural life, employing a modest yet powerful palette to evoke the emotional and physical strength of his subject.
