The artwork titled “Old Woman Seen from Behind” is a sketch by Vincent van Gogh, created in 1882 in The Hague, Netherlands. Executed in pencil on paper, this piece belongs to the Realism art movement and falls under the genre of sketch and study. The artwork is currently housed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts the rear view of an elderly woman, who is wrapped in a thick coat and headscarf, suggesting the cold weather or her modesty. The simplicity and rough texture of the pencil strokes capture a moment of everyday life. The woman appears to be walking, as indicated by her posture and the position of her legs. The composition is straightforward, focusing solely on the figure, which is rendered with a sensitive and realistic touch typical of Van Gogh’s early work. Additionally, the sketch includes handwritten notes by the artist, which add a layer of personal context and intimacy to the piece.
