The artwork, “Sien under Umbrella with Girl,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1882 in The Hague, Netherlands, exemplifies the Realism art movement. Executed with pencil on paper, this sketch and study piece vividly captures a moment of everyday life with meticulous attention to detail.
In the artwork, there is a woman standing under an umbrella, accompanied by a young girl. The woman, likely Sien, is depicted in a long, flowing dress, holding an umbrella to shield them from inclement weather. Her face is framed by a white headscarf, adding a touch of softness to her sturdy appearance. The young girl by her side appears to be dressed in a light-colored apron over a dark dress, clutching the skirt of the woman in a gesture of dependence and trust. The background is rendered in a way that suggests the setting is outdoors, possibly in a rain-soaked environment, which is indicated by the umbrella’s presence. The entire sketch exudes a sense of protection and maternal care, characteristic of van Gogh’s ability to infuse simple scenes with deep emotional resonance.