The artwork “Peasant with Walking Stick, and Little Sketch of the Same Figure” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands, is a compelling piece rendered in chalk on paper. This work, which is part of the Realism art movement, functions as both a sketch and a study. It is currently housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum located in Otterlo, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts a robust peasant standing with a walking stick, which occupies the central focus. The use of chalk creates strong, textured lines that emphasize the bulk and weight of the figure, capturing the rough, laborious life associated with peasant existence. To the left of the primary figure, a smaller sketch of the same peasant is present, serving as a reflective study of the subject in a more diminutive form. The strong lines and detailed textures bring forth a sense of realism as intended by the artist, illustrating Van Gogh’s keen observation and sensitive portrayal of everyday life.
