“Peasant Woman, Planting Potatoes,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands, is a captivating piece rendered in chalk on paper. This artwork belongs to the Realism movement and serves as a sketch and study genre. It is currently housed in the Städel Museum in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
The artwork portrays a peasant woman engaged in the laborious task of planting potatoes. The figure of the woman is depicted in a humble and bent posture, emphasizing the strenuous effort involved in agricultural work. Her attire, comprised of simple and worn clothing, reflects her working-class status. Surrounding her are minimal, yet deliberate, linear elements that suggest the rural environment. The somber tones and rough, expressive strokes used by van Gogh capture the harsh realities of peasant life, invoking a sense of empathy and respect for the daily toil of the rural poor. In this sketch, the artist’s focus on form, movement, and the stark representation of the human condition is evident, making it a poignant piece within van Gogh’s oeuvre.
