The artwork titled “Torn-Up Street with Diggers,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1882, depicts a cityscape influenced by the art movement of Realism. Executed using pencil, ink, and watercolor on paper, this piece portrays a construction scene in The Hague, Netherlands, during the artist’s tenure in the city. The artwork is currently housed in the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin, located in Berlin, Germany.
In “Torn-Up Street with Diggers,” the viewer is presented with a busy urban scene where laborers are actively engaged in roadwork. The composition is dominated by figures diligently digging and shoveling, capturing the essence of manual labor during that period. The use of subdued tones and the detailed portrayal of the workers and their tools emphasize the theme of industriousness and the transformation of urban landscapes. Buildings in the background, with their distinct architectural features, provide context to the setting, revealing a slice of life from a bustling city street. The artwork epitomizes the Realist approach, focusing on ordinary people in their everyday environment, rendered with meticulous detail and a sense of authenticity.
