The artwork titled “Peasant with Sickle,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands, is a chalk drawing on paper. It belongs to the Realism art movement and is classified under the genre of sketch and study. This piece is currently housed in the Villa Flora (Hahnloser Collection) in Winterthur, Switzerland.
In the artwork, a peasant is depicted engaging in the act of harvesting, utilizing a sickle. The figure is portrayed in a bent posture, emphasizing the laborious nature of the task. The background is filled with densely depicted vegetation, hinting at a field of crops. Van Gogh’s use of chalk creates a striking contrast and texture, encapsulating the raw and earnest effort of agrarian life. The simplicity of the medium combined with the detailed strokes reflects the essence of Realism, staying true to the everyday subject matter and the natural demeanor of the working class.
