“Peasant with a Stick” is an artwork created by Vincent van Gogh in 1881 in the Netherlands. It is a sketch drawn with chalk on paper, categorizing it under the realism movement and the genre of sketch and study. This piece is presently held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a male peasant holding a stick, possibly engaged in some form of labor. The figure is robust and appears to be engrossed in his task, reflecting the realist philosophy of representing everyday subjects with unembellished and truthful detail. The artist’s use of simple lines and shading to convey texture and depth reveals van Gogh’s early skill in capturing the essence of human life and toil. The background remains sparse, keeping the viewer’s focus on the subject’s form and activity, thereby accentuating his prominence and the laborious nature of his existence.
