The artwork titled “Portrait of a Woman (Head of a Peasant Woman with Bonnet)” was created by Vincent van Gogh around the year 1885 in the Netherlands. The medium utilized for this piece is chalk on paper, illustrating the artist’s adept use of monochromatic hues to convey realism. This portrait, characteristic of the Realism Art Movement, measures 29.5 by 20 centimeters and currently resides in a private collection.
In this evocative portrayal, a woman is depicted wearing a simple bonnet, indicative of peasant attire. The careful application of chalk emphasizes the contours and textures of her face and headwear, reflecting van Gogh’s meticulous attention to the human condition and everyday life. The somber, shadowy background contrasts with the illuminated features of the woman’s face, underscoring her stoic expression and the earnest simplicity of rural existence. This composition captures the raw essence and resilient spirit of the subject, aligning with the authenticity and grounded nature of Realism.