“Standing Woman, Half-Length” is an artwork by Vincent van Gogh, executed in 1882 in The Hague, Netherlands. The piece, which belongs to the Ian Woodner Family Collection in New York City, NY, US, is a masterful rendering created with chalk, pencil, and watercolor on paper. Falling under the Realism movement, this sketch and study displays Van Gogh’s adeptness in capturing expressive forms with minimalistic yet profound strokes.
The artwork portrays a woman standing, captured in a half-length profile. The use of chalk and pencil imparts a textured quality to her clothing and the background, evoking a sense of depth and realism. The woman’s contemplative posture, combined with the fluid lines and subtle shadings, demonstrates Van Gogh’s keen observation and his ability to convey emotion and character through minimalistic sketches. The application of watercolor adds delicate nuances to the overall monochromatic tone, enhancing the sense of volume and presence in the artwork. This composition exemplifies Van Gogh’s skill in transforming simple studies into evocative and timeless pieces.
