The artwork titled “Head of a Woman with Hat Facing Right” was created in 1882 by Vincent van Gogh in The Hague, Netherlands. Rendered in chalk and ink on paper, this portrait belongs to the Realism movement and depicts a woman’s head turned to the right, adorned with a hat. It is currently housed in the Kunstmuseum Bern in Bern, Switzerland.
In examining the artwork, one notes the intricate use of chalk and ink to capture the textured details of the hat and the woman’s expression. The hat, large and encompassing, seems to cocoon her head, shading her face to create depth and contrast. The artist’s application of shadow and light emphasizes the woman’s stern gaze and contemplative demeanor. Through deft, expressive strokes, Van Gogh brings the subject to life, highlighting the subtleties in facial features and the fabrics of her attire, showcasing his profound skill in portraying realism in portraiture.
