The artwork, titled “Studies of Three Peasants and a Head,” was created by the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh in 1885 during his time in Nuenen, Netherlands. This piece, which falls under the Realism art movement and the genre of sketch and study, is crafted using pencil and ink on paper. Presently, it resides in the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
In this artwork, van Gogh depicts three peasants, each rendered in a different pose, and the back of the head of another figure. The first peasant, on the left side of the composition, stands in a three-quarter profile view with his hands behind his back, his gaze directed downward. The central figure faces away from the viewer, giving a rear view of his form. The third peasant, situated to the right, also faces away, although his orientation is slightly turned to reveal part of his face and side. The sketch is characterized by loose yet deliberate strokes, capturing the essence and demeanor of rural life. The practical attire of the peasants suggests their connection to labor and the simplicity of their existence. The piece, with its emphasis on everyday subjects and meticulous detail, exemplifies van Gogh’s dedication to realism during this period of his artistic career.
