“Peasant Boy, Digging” is an artwork created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 while he was in Nuenen, Netherlands. Executed in chalk on paper, this genre painting is a notable example of the Realism art movement. It currently resides in the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway.
The artwork depicts a young peasant boy engaged in the act of digging, demonstrating the harsh and laborious life of rural workers. Van Gogh’s use of chalk on paper creates a stark contrast, emphasizing the solidity and strength of the boy’s form and the physicality of his effort. The boy is portrayed mid-action, bent over with his tools, with meticulously rendered details that illustrate his strained muscles and focused demeanor. The composition captures the essence of everyday toil, highlighting Van Gogh’s empathetic portrayal of laborers and their environments.
