The artwork titled “Planting Beets” is a charcoal sketch created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 while he was in Nuenen, Netherlands. This piece, which is part of the Realism art movement, is a study that measures 114.3 x 132.3 cm. It is currently held in a private collection.
In the artwork, one observes the simplicity and raw dedication of rural labor. It depicts a solitary figure, hunched over, engrossed in the act of planting beets. The figure is cloaked in traditional working attire, with a head covering and sturdy clogs. The scene captures the essence of agricultural toil, with evident detail portraying the texture of the earth and the contours of the worker’s garments. The tools and basket near the figure amplify the authenticity of the rural setting. Van Gogh’s use of charcoal provides a stark and honest representation, emphasizing the physicality and solemnity of the labor. The background, sketched with subtle lines, does not distract from the central subject, rather it frames the intensity of the moment captured.
