The artwork, titled “Sketch of a Right Arm and Shoulder,” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1886, during his time in Antwerp, Belgium. Executed with chalk on paper, this piece belongs to the Realism art movement and falls under the genre of sketches and studies. The artwork is currently housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork portrays a detailed and expressive depiction of a right arm and shoulder. The strong, precise lines and varying shades of chalk capture the musculature and contour of the arm with remarkable realism. The artist’s adept use of shading enhances the three-dimensionality of the form, emphasizing the anatomical structure and the play of light and shadow on the skin. The study nature of the sketch suggests that it was a work intended to understand and represent human anatomy accurately, typical of Van Gogh’s keen observational skills and dedication to mastering his craft.
