“Peasant Woman Bending Over,” a drawing by Vincent van Gogh, was created in 1885 during his time in Nuenen, Netherlands. This artwork, executed in chalk on paper, is part of the Realism art movement, and is considered to be a sketch and study genre piece. It is currently housed at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts a peasant woman in the act of bending over, captured in a humble and labor-intensive moment. Using chalk as his medium, Van Gogh’s skillful application of shading and linework brings forth the texture of the woman’s clothing and the strains of her posture. Rich with earthy tones, the study reveals an intimate and expressive moment of rural life. The woman’s attire, marked by the folds and creases of her dress, enhances the realism and authenticity of the scene. This careful attention to the physicality of labor evokes empathy and a sense of dignity in the depicted subject. The minimalistic yet detailed background highlights the focus on the figure, underscoring Van Gogh’s interest in the everyday experiences of common people.
