The artwork titled “Sien, Peeling Potatoes” was created by the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh in 1883 while in The Hague, Netherlands. Executed with chalk on paper, this piece belongs to the Realism art movement and is classified within the genre painting category. The artwork is currently housed at the Gemeentemuseum den Haag in The Hague, Netherlands.
In the artwork, a woman is depicted sitting on a low stool or bench, intently peeling potatoes. The setting is simple and domestic, emphasizing the everyday nature of the activity. The woman, identified as Sien, is rendered in a realistic manner, with careful attention given to her posture and the details of her hands as they perform the peeling. Surrounding her, a basket likely for collecting the peeled potatoes and a covered container are visible, adding to the sense of a humble, workaday scene. The monochromatic tones and the deft use of shading highlight the earnestness and quiet dignity of the subject, capturing a moment of ordinary life with remarkable sensitivity and realism.
